Actress wearing hat with pink and green feathers, from Stars of the Stage, Fourth Series (N132) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Honest Long Cut Tobacco 1892 - 1893

This small print from W. Duke, Sons & Co., presents an actress adorned with a hat of pink and green feathers. Immediately, one notices how the composition centers on the actress's face, framed by the elaborate headwear. The texture in this piece invites closer inspection. The feathers, rendered with a soft, almost impressionistic touch, contrast with the smoother, more defined facial features. This juxtaposition of textures creates a visual hierarchy, drawing our eye first to the flamboyant hat and then to the actress's engaging gaze. The scale, though diminutive, encapsulates a world of theatricality and artifice. Consider how the artist uses color. The pink and green feathers, bold and artificial, sit atop the darker hat, creating a stark contrast that amplifies their presence. The choice of colors may reflect the period’s fascination with artifice and the spectacle of stage life. This card functions not just as a promotional item, but as a condensed study in form, texture, and color. The actress's identity is secondary; her presence is primarily a vehicle for these visual elements.