From the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 5) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This trade card from the Virginia Brights Cigarettes series presents an actress gazing dreamily into the distance. Notice the way she rests her face in her hands, a gesture that has echoed through art history, signifying contemplation or melancholy. This motif of the pensive figure, head in hand, can be traced back to classical antiquity, finding perhaps its most iconic expression in depictions of Melancholia. Consider Dürer's engraving; there, the figure is surrounded by symbols of creative stagnation, yet her posture also suggests deep thought. Our actress’ pose, though less overtly symbolic, still carries a weight. It engages us on a subconscious level, evoking a sense of introspection. The gesture becomes a vessel, carrying historical and cultural memories forward. The actress, unknowingly, is linked to a lineage of figures contemplating the human condition, proving the power of such symbols.