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

This is "Marie Tempest," a photographic print from the Actresses series, created by Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company. The photograph is small, capturing Tempest in a soft, sepia tone. Her figure is centered and framed from the mid-torso up, establishing a clear visual hierarchy. The texture of her elaborate hat, adorned with feathers or flowers, contrasts with the smooth, almost porcelain-like quality of her face. The symmetry of her gaze directs ours, engaging us in a direct, yet silent dialogue. As a promotional item, this image operates within a semiotic system. Tempest, a celebrity, signifies glamour and aspiration, subtly associating these qualities with the Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. The small size of the card implies intimacy and personal connection, inviting the consumer to carry a piece of this idealized image with them. The formal qualities of the photograph—its composition, tone, and texture—create a cultural artifact that reflects and reinforces societal values of beauty and success, mediated through the act of consumption.