Mlle. Hampton, Paris, from the Actors and Actresses series (N171) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1886 - 1890

This small card, printed by Goodwin & Company, presents Mlle. Hampton in the guise of an ancient warrior, complete with helmet, spear, and shield. Her attire evokes classical antiquity, a recurring motif in art used to imbue subjects with notions of heroism, valor, and timeless beauty. The image summons the archetype of the warrior woman—a figure that oscillates through history. Consider, for instance, the Amazons of Greek mythology, powerful and independent women who challenged patriarchal norms. This archetype surfaces again and again, reflecting both societal anxieties and aspirations about female strength. Even in our modern age we see similar images in superheroines and other figures. By presenting Mlle. Hampton in this manner, the producers of Old Judge Cigarettes tapped into this deep well of cultural memory. Such a motif isn't linear in its progression, but cyclical, resurfacing and evolving to take on new meanings, engaging viewers on a subconscious level with ideas of power, gender, and historical continuity.