Miss Wohlbruch, from the Actresses series (N245) issued by Kinney Brothers to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1890

"Miss Wohlbruch, from the Actresses series" is a promotional image distributed by Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company alongside Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. These cards emerged during a time when the burgeoning advertising industry began to capitalize on celebrity culture. The series reflects the Victorian era's complex relationship with women in the public eye. Actresses like Miss Wohlbruck were both celebrated and scrutinized, embodying an evolving ideal of femininity that balanced talent, beauty, and societal expectations. The image itself, with its soft focus and delicate pose, presents a carefully constructed persona. Note how the gaze is directed slightly away, and the touch of the hand to the face, all contributing to an image of refined beauty and perhaps, a hint of vulnerability. These cards served to promote tobacco consumption while simultaneously elevating the actresses to celebrity status. It’s worth considering how these images both empowered and commodified women, intertwining their identities with commercial interests. It's a poignant reminder of how gender, representation, and commerce have long been entwined in our cultural narratives.