Actress from the Old Judge series (N167) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1886

This Actress from the Old Judge series, a promotional lithograph made for Old Judge Cigarettes, presents a world in miniature. Executed by Goodwin & Company, the subtle interplay of sepia tones and delicate hatching patterns immediately draws one into the frame. The actress, adorned with a hat and spectacles, is arranged within a composition that speaks volumes about representation and spectatorship. The lithograph's structural framework reinforces the act of looking—the glasses perch upon her nose, a literal lens through which we are invited to view the world. This card is not merely a portrait but a comment on the very act of seeing and being seen. Consider how the framing of her figure, combined with the commercial context of the cigarette brand, creates a multi-layered experience. It prompts a conversation about the cultural codes embedded within the artwork, and reminds us that art is constantly shifting.