Cornalba, Eden, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 1) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This is a promotional trade card of Cornalba, Eden, an actress, made by Allen & Ginter for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. These cards, popular in the late 19th century, offer a glimpse into the entwined relationships between entertainment, commerce, and cultural ideals. Eden, captured in her balletic pose, embodies both grace and the spectacle of performance. As viewers, we are invited into a world where identities were constructed and consumed, much like the cigarettes these cards advertised. The card’s existence speaks to the commodification of image and identity, especially for women in the entertainment industry. These cards often reinforced traditional representations, but they also provided a platform, albeit limited, for women to gain visibility. What does it mean to be both an artist and a product, to be admired and consumed? This image prompts questions about the roles women were expected to play, and the complex negotiations they made within those roles.