Annie Robe in Hungarian Costume of a Girl of Ruthere, from the set Actors and Actresses, Second Series (N71) for Duke brand cigarettes 1888 - 1890

This is Annie Robe in Hungarian Costume of a Girl of Ruthere, a lithograph produced by W. Duke, Sons & Co. around the turn of the century as part of a series of cigarette cards featuring actors and actresses. The actress Annie Robe is wearing a traditional Hungarian costume. These cards were immensely popular and reflect the era’s fascination with different cultures, but they often presented romanticized and stereotypical views. The commercial use of ethnic representation raises questions about cultural appropriation and the marketing of identity. The image captures a moment in which advertising, entertainment, and cultural representation intersect. What does it mean to take on the visual markers of another culture? How is identity performed, consumed, and commodified? As you consider this image, think about the stories it tells and the ones it leaves out. Think, too, about how we connect with images of people, places, and identities that might be unfamiliar to us.