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

"Depoix, Gymnase" is a carte-de-visite, a type of small photograph popular in the 19th century, created by Allen & Ginter as part of their "Actors and Actresses" series. The image, depicting a woman in profile, was likely used as a promotional card for Virginia Brights Cigarettes, which commissioned the series. The card's small size and portrait format are characteristic of the genre, showcasing a popular figure of the time. The portrait's simple composition and sharp focus on the subject's face contribute to the realism and allure of the image.