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

This card from the Actors and Actresses series, was created by Allen & Ginter to advertise Virginia Brights Cigarettes. It is a small rectangle printed with a sepia-toned photograph of a performer. Uhart is presented in a costume of shimmering, fringed fabric, holding a sword, posed against a neutral backdrop. The composition balances the figure with text at the bottom that promotes a commercial product. The sepia tone lends a nostalgic, historical feel, while the precise photographic technique captures a hyper-realistic image. The card’s structure employs a semiotic system where the image of an actress signifies glamour and sophistication, qualities that are then transferred to the cigarettes. The figure is not just a portrait; it is a sign, strategically designed to attract consumers. Consider how the choice of this imagery reflects broader cultural values associated with celebrity, performance, and consumption during the period it was produced. How does the interplay between the image and the commercial text challenge fixed meanings of art, advertising and cultural value?