Card Number 84, Agnes Miller, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-2) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes 1880s

This is card number 84, Agnes Miller, from the Actors and Actresses series, a promotional cigarette card produced by W. Duke, Sons & Co. The sepia tone flattens the image, reducing depth and emphasizing the two-dimensional surface. The composition is divided into distinct zones: the actress in the foreground, the advertisement text above her, and a subtle background that blends into an almost uniform field. Agnes Miller is presented in a pose that suggests both strength and softness. The lines of the riding crop across her shoulders create a diagonal that counters the verticality of her figure and clothing, adding a subtle tension to the image. The use of photography here flattens and abstracts. The light and shadow define the form and contribute to the overall texture. The advertisement text is integrated as a design element which reflects the intersection of commerce and representation, questioning notions of value and authenticity within a culture of mass production. Ultimately, the interplay between form and function invites ongoing interpretation, highlighting how cultural values and artistic expressions are continuously negotiated and redefined.