Davenport, from the Actors and Actresses series (N171) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1886 - 1890

This is a printed card featuring the actress Davenport, made by Goodwin & Company of New York, as part of a series of promotional cards for Old Judge Cigarettes. The sepia image results from a photomechanical process known as a halftone print. A photograph of Davenport would have been re-photographed through a screen, breaking the image into tiny dots of varying sizes. These dots allowed the image to be transferred onto a metal plate, which was then inked and used to mass-produce these cards. Consider the relationship between Davenport's fame, the mass production of cigarettes, and the technological advancements in printing at the time. This card is not just a portrait; it's a product of industrial capitalism, blurring the lines between art, advertising, and everyday life. It reminds us that the materials and processes used to create an artwork are integral to its meaning, challenging our traditional notions of art and craft.