Blanche Bennett, from World's Beauties, Series 2 (N27) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1888

Allen & Ginter produced this lithograph card of Blanche Bennett as part of their "World's Beauties" series. The profile view, framed tightly, draws our eye to the texture and hue of her features. The artist's precise use of color and line seeks to capture an idealized beauty, revealing late 19th century beauty standards. Notice the contrasting textures: the smooth skin, the feathered hair, and the ruffled fabric, each rendered with meticulous detail. The palette is soft, dominated by pastel shades that enhance the subject's perceived purity and grace. Consider this card as a cultural artifact, existing as part of the consumer culture of its time. It reflects a semiotic system where beauty is a commodity, packaged and sold alongside cigarettes. The card is not merely a portrait but a sign, laden with cultural meanings about femininity and value. This commercial context invites us to reflect on how notions of beauty are constructed and circulated within society, creating an ongoing dialogue between art, commerce, and cultural values.