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

Editor: Here we have "Dutailly, Variettees," a print dating between 1885 and 1891 by Allen & Ginter, originally a promotional card for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. It's a photographic portrait with a sepia tone, depicting a woman in a very ornate gown. There’s almost a theatrical quality to the image. What can you tell me about this piece? Curator: This seemingly innocuous cigarette card is steeped in the burgeoning visual culture of late 19th-century America. The mass production of images, like this one, played a significant role in shaping popular ideals of beauty, femininity, and consumerism. Notice how Dutailly's theatricality, as you mentioned, blurs the lines between celebrity, commodity, and performance. What do you think that the choice to portray an actress communicates to potential cigarette buyers? Editor: Well, maybe that smoking is sophisticated or glamorous, or it could be suggesting a lifestyle associated with entertainment. Almost like an early form of influencer marketing. Curator: Precisely. Consider the institutional forces at play here: Allen & Ginter, a tobacco company, leveraging the fame of actresses like Dutailly to sell their product. These cards also contributed to the rise of collecting mania. Sets and series created a demand, turning consumers into avid purchasers striving for completion. Who was included, who was excluded and what types of archetypes were pushed forward by brands like Virginia Bright Cigarettes tell the larger tale of America in the late 19th century. How does this influence our perception of art? Editor: That's fascinating! It shows how even seemingly trivial images like cigarette cards played a part in constructing social values and promoting consumerism, with powerful brands shaping popular narratives. This isn’t just art for art's sake. Curator: Indeed. Understanding these historical contexts enriches our understanding of art's role within culture and broadens our perspectives of popular portraits like "Dutailly, Variettees".