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

This small card featuring Dora Wiley was produced by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company as a promotional item for their Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. The sepia-toned image, likely a photograph reproduced through photomechanical means, speaks to the rise of mass media and consumer culture in the late 19th century. Consider the labor involved in producing these cards. From the cultivation of tobacco to the printing of thousands of images, each step relies on extensive labor. The image of Dora Wiley, an actress, is thus directly linked to a network of production and consumption. The card transforms her image into a commodity, packaged with cigarettes and circulated widely. Ultimately, this card challenges our understanding of art by highlighting its connection to commerce and industry. It invites us to consider the social and economic forces that shape our visual world, blurring the lines between art, advertising, and everyday life.