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

Editor: Here we have "Mlle. Pacurd," dating between 1890 and 1895. It’s part of the Actors and Actresses series promoting Duke Cigarettes. What immediately strikes me is the layering of patterns – the stripes and checks create a visually stimulating surface. How do you see its composition working? Curator: The charm of this albumen print resides in its intricate formal relationships. Notice how the subject's pose creates a series of triangular shapes, from the crossed arms to the angle of the head. The subtle gradations of tone within the sepia add depth. Have you considered the tension between the two-dimensional surface and the illusion of three-dimensionality? Editor: That tension is fascinating! The flatness of the print contrasts with the roundness of her figure. But beyond the geometric relationships, does the photograph convey anything about Mlle. Pacurd herself? Curator: The primary concern isn’t narrative or biographical. The photographic print serves mainly as a matrix of lines, shapes, and values, all interwoven to construct an engaging formal exercise. The albumen-print serves a key part in the success here - photography gave it an aspect of the uncanny at the time, but now all we have is the photograph - does the performance endure or is there only the print to read? Editor: I see your point. I was so focused on the "who" that I overlooked the "how." Thanks for shedding light on the formal aspects. Curator: Precisely. Considering those inherent formal values encourages an intense aesthetic experience beyond historical or cultural contexts.