Kate Davis, from the Actors and Actresses series (N171) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1886 - 1890

This small photograph was produced by Goodwin & Company as part of a series of collectible cards for Old Judge Cigarettes. The actress Kate Davis is depicted standing in what seems to be a doorway, perhaps a theatrical entrance, her hand resting on the frame. The doorway motif is a powerful symbol. Throughout art history, the doorway serves as a liminal space, a threshold between worlds. We can see echoes of this in ancient Egyptian art, where doorways in tombs symbolized passage to the afterlife. The gesture of Davis’ hand on the frame, inviting yet hesitant, recalls classical depictions of figures like Psyche, caught between worlds, searching, and hopeful. This small card encapsulates a grander narrative. The subconscious desire to transcend boundaries is a timeless human impulse that resonates through centuries of art.