Card 644, Lillian Grub, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 1) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This portrait of Lillian Grub was produced as a chromolithograph card for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. Chromolithography allowed for mass production of color images. Think of it as the Victorian era’s version of digital printing, but with a much more hands-on process. Each color was printed from a separate stone or metal plate, requiring skilled technicians to align them precisely. In Lillian’s portrait, the effect is soft, but the materiality of the print is evident in the slightly blurred edges. These cards like this weren't fine art, but rather promotional items included in cigarette packs. The commodification of image-making and distribution reflects the burgeoning consumer culture of the late 19th century. The labor involved in producing these cards – from the photographers capturing the actress’s image to the factory workers operating the printing presses – speaks to the industrialization of leisure and entertainment. By considering the materials and modes of production behind this image, we gain insight into the economic forces shaping visual culture at the time.