Mlle. Landeline, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-8) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1890 - 1895

W. Duke, Sons & Co. created this promotional card for Duke Cigarettes. It presents the actress Mlle. Landeline, her figure defined by the sepia tone and small rectangular format. Notice the composition: Landeline is centrally positioned, flanked by foliage, which creates a balanced symmetry. Her theatrical costume, a mix of classical and exotic elements, is constructed through patterns, textures, and the arrangement of light and shadow. The arrow is both an element of the costume and a structural device. The card functions as a sign within the semiotic landscape of late 19th-century consumer culture. It signifies not just the actress but the aspirational lifestyle associated with the Duke Cigarettes brand. The image flattens the complex reality into a commodity, inviting viewers to partake in the illusion of glamour. The artwork challenges conventional notions of value, blurring the lines between art, advertising, and identity.