Lillian Tyson, from the Actresses series (N245) issued by Kinney Brothers to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1890

Lillian Tyson, from the Actresses series, was created by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company as a promotional item for Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. These cards, popular at the turn of the 20th century, offer a glimpse into the cultural values and commercial strategies of the time. Actresses, like Lillian Tyson, were figures of aspiration and fantasy, embodying ideals of beauty and success that captivated the public. Consider the implications of mass-producing and distributing images of women. These images helped to solidify and spread certain standards of beauty and fame. What did it mean for women like Tyson to have their likenesses used in this way? What pressures did it create? As you consider this image, think about the complex relationship between art, commerce, and identity, and the historical forces that shape our understanding of beauty and celebrity.