Miss Madden, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-8) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1890 - 1895

This is a promotional card of Miss Madden, part of the Actors and Actresses series, issued by Duke Sons & Co., to promote Duke Cigarettes. The sepia tone gives the image a nostalgic feel. Note how Miss Madden's figure is meticulously framed. Her tight corset, contrasted with the soft lace trimming and her pearl accessories, draws our eye to the artificiality of the image. The high contrast between her pale skin and the dark dress accentuates the artificiality and the constructed nature of beauty. The card creates a visual syntax where the actress’s body, clothes, and props form a semiotic system. It invites viewers to decode messages about celebrity culture and the burgeoning consumerism of the time. These cards were not just advertisements, but also cultural artifacts that reflected and shaped contemporary values. This image is a site of ongoing interpretation where aesthetics intersect with commerce and culture.