Annie Sutherland, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 7) for Dixie Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This is a carte-de-visite of Annie Sutherland, from the Actors and Actresses series for Dixie Cigarettes, made by Allen & Ginter. Sutherland, in character, smoking a cigarette and looking upwards, makes for an intriguing study in iconography. Consider the cigarette. In this context, it's not merely a prop but a symbol of modernity, of emancipation, particularly for women in the late 19th century. Compare this image to earlier depictions of tobacco use, such as ceremonial pipes in indigenous cultures, or even aristocratic snuff-taking. The cigarette is democratized, accessible, yet retains a certain rebellious allure. The upward gaze, too, is potent. Is she seeking inspiration, or perhaps challenging societal norms? This gesture echoes through art history, from classical depictions of muses to religious figures in divine communion. Here, it’s recontextualized, imbued with the spirit of a performer reaching for something beyond the stage. It’s as if she is transcending the limiting conventions of her time. It calls to mind the eternal cycle of seeking, of aspiration, and of reinvention that we see mirrored in cultural memory.