Card Number 353, Ruth Stetson, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-5) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cameo Cigarettes 1880s

This is "Card Number 353, Ruth Stetson," part of the "Actors and Actresses" series, a promotional item for Cameo Cigarettes by W. Duke, Sons & Co. The composition is vertically oriented, featuring a sepia-toned image of Ruth Stetson, an actress of the time. She partially veils her face with a translucent fabric, creating a visual play between revelation and concealment. This compositional choice prompts us to consider the themes of identity and performance. The backdrop, painted with a tropical landscape, contrasts with Stetson's attire and the studio setting, creating a layered effect. The actress is presented as an object of spectacle, her image commodified to sell cigarettes. This juxtaposition highlights the constructed nature of celebrity and its intersection with commerce. Note how the formal elements – the soft focus, the sepia tones, and the layered composition – function not merely aesthetically but as key components in a complex cultural narrative about representation, identity, and the burgeoning consumer culture of the late 19th century.