Ada Rehan, from the Actors and Actresses series (N171) for Gypsy Queen Cigarettes 1886 - 1890

This is a photographic print of Ada Rehan, a late 19th-century actress, created by Goodwin & Company as part of a promotional series for Gypsy Queen Cigarettes. The sepia tones lend a nostalgic quality, emphasizing the sitter's theatrical poise and elaborate costume. Note how Rehan is framed by the dramatic curves of her hat and cape, drawing the viewer's eye towards her face. The composition employs a subtle asymmetry, with her gaze directed slightly off-center, suggesting a narrative beyond the immediate image. This card functions as a semiotic device, using Rehan's celebrity to encode the cigarette brand with connotations of glamour and sophistication. The deliberate construction of her image—from the details of her attire to the evocative lighting—serves to both represent her individual persona and to symbolize broader cultural values associated with performance and consumption. The interplay between the visual elements and their coded meanings reflects the era's evolving relationship between art, advertising, and popular culture. The image is not merely a portrait but a carefully crafted symbol within a larger network of social and economic exchanges.