Lille Donnell, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 1) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

Curator: This small card features a photograph of Lille Donnell. It's one of a series of portraits of actresses created between 1885 and 1891 by Allen & Ginter, the tobacco company. These were originally included in packs of Virginia Brights Cigarettes. Editor: There's a certain theatricality, a swagger to this portrait. Her costume is so distinctive, ornamented with flourishes that hint at some sort of performer persona. A cigarette dangles casually from her lips—defiant even. Curator: It's fascinating how these objects acted as early forms of celebrity endorsement, effectively merging the entertainment and consumer industries. Donnell's confident posture reflects a shifting landscape of female performers at that time. She embodies an unapologetic presence and a self-possession that arguably challenged Victorian norms of female behavior. Editor: Yes, and this brazen image ties into the rising popularity of smoking as a sign of female independence during this period. The symbols reinforce this: the ornament on the outfit suggests her performative power on stage but is in stark opposition to the lion relief just beside her, which seems to symbolize courage, leadership, and an even broader idea of social and cultural might. Curator: It's compelling to see the intertwined relationships between consumption, celebrity, and gendered identities in the late 19th century. The distribution method of these images contributed to democratizing art viewing and also created an archive reflecting idealized versions of women and the social status of white performers, usually excluding many performers from marginalized communities. Editor: Exactly. As cultural artifacts, these portraits transmit ideals related to success, femininity, and aspirations connected to visual pleasure through art and advertising, though this image really hints at shifting perceptions about femininity. Her defiance still speaks loudly even now. Curator: The photograph also opens discussions about consumerism’s intersection with art and fame, and also, quite troublingly, questions surrounding public health at the turn of the century. It reminds us of the responsibility involved in studying images from past eras that can challenge our notions of success. Editor: Well said. This is a stark reminder of the values of its time, which invites ongoing dialogue between present and past values.