Portrait of woman, from the Novelties series (N228, Type 2) issued by Kinney Bros. 1889

This is a portrait of a woman from the Novelties series, created by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company. These cards were produced during a time when advertising was rapidly evolving, reflecting the cultural norms and aspirations of the late 19th century. The woman depicted is idealized, embodying the era’s standards of beauty for white women. The adornments in her hair and her classical-style dress evoke images of ancient goddesses. Yet, these novelties circulated within a society marked by stark inequalities. The economic realities of the working class, the fight for racial equality, and the burgeoning women's suffrage movement, provide a complex backdrop to this image. These cards would have been collected and traded, offering a glimpse into the aesthetic values of the time, even while broader social and political tensions were brewing. Though seemingly simple, this portrait invites us to consider how commercial images shape our perceptions and reflect the broader narratives of identity, beauty, and power that continue to resonate today.