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

This trade card, made by Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company, features actress Topsey Venn in a pose that echoes across centuries of art. Notice the raised hand, a gesture we see repeated in countless depictions of deities, royalty, and performers, signaling authority, blessing, or simply commanding attention. This motif transcends mere representation; it embodies a primal desire to assert control over our environment. Consider how the pharaohs of ancient Egypt used similar gestures in their depictions, or how Renaissance painters employed it to convey divine power. These recurring gestures tap into a shared cultural memory. The way we understand them evolves, yet their underlying power remains. This echoes a collective yearning for control and recognition. In Topsey Venn's playful rendition, this ancient gesture becomes a tool of seduction, drawing viewers into her world, a testament to the enduring power of symbols to transcend time and culture.