Carrie Tanner, from the Actresses series (N190) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. 1889

Curator: Ah, this is a fascinating artifact! This lithograph print is titled "Carrie Tanner, from the Actresses series" created around 1889 by William S. Kimball & Co. Editor: Immediately I get a ghostly vibe from it. Something about the stark lighting and aged tones lends this ethereal beauty. It reminds me of an old photograph, faded but still capturing something essential. Curator: Well, these actresses' portraits were, in essence, advertising. Kimball, a cigarette manufacturer, distributed them in packs to entice buyers, turning these women into marketing icons. These were incredibly popular—veritable Victorian trading cards, if you will. Editor: Knowing that shifts the whole viewing experience. There's a certain irony now in gazing at her captured image, beautiful as she is, commodified by the era's consumerist hunger. She looks so elegant. It’s strange thinking her portrait might be casually tossed away once the cigarettes were finished. Curator: It speaks to the broader social context. The proliferation of printed imagery during the late 19th century played a crucial role in shaping public perception. Actresses like Tanner navigated increasingly complex social roles as celebrities. Kimball benefited from her association with the world of popular entertainment. Editor: It is odd how much that simple black arm ribbon changes the impression of this woman, and the piece in general. A piece meant to portray an 'actress', but feels oddly like she is mourning. Maybe that is me imposing. Curator: Interesting point. One wonders if that funereal ribbon adds any layer beyond mere 'decoration'. As a celebrity portrait designed for mass consumption, the primary aim might have been aesthetic appeal to capture an air of genteel sophistication and morality for the company by its choice to only feature recognizable people of moral authority. Editor: Either way, it's a powerful glimpse into a bygone era. Thank you for that perspective. Now, looking at this small slip in its entirety is enough to spur a few more conversations on the world at large! Curator: Indeed. Art reveals much about society, even on a scale that may seem quite small, as is in this case. It just depends on how we are prepared to read it.