Card Number 146, Theo, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-1) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cross Cut Cigarettes 1880s

This is card number 146 in a series of promotional cards for Cross Cut Cigarettes, printed by Duke Sons & Co. Here, the actress Theo is depicted in costume, but what draws my eye is the theatrical gesture. The way she holds what appears to be a purse or a prop. It echoes the ancient motif of offering, a gesture deeply embedded in our collective memory. We find it in votive statues of antiquity offering gifts to the gods, or even the Virgin Mary offering a lily as a symbol of purity. Consider how such gestures evolve—from religious veneration to secular display. In this context, is Theo offering or presenting herself to the viewer? This act of presentation engages us on a subconscious level. The stage and the ritual of the offering merge, inviting the viewer to partake in the spectacle. The gesture of offering transcends its original sacred function, reappearing in this secular scene to elicit desire.