Mlle. Ascenseur, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-8) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1890 - 1895

Editor: This is a fascinating little print, "Mlle. Ascenseur" from the Actors and Actresses series by Duke Sons & Co., dating from 1890-1895. It feels almost like a photograph, capturing a specific moment, a kind of 'celebrity' portrait. What strikes you most about this piece? Curator: It’s interesting to consider this image as part of a larger project of commercial branding. Cigarette cards often reinforced societal norms. How does this particular portrait, do you think, play into the representation of women and performance during that period? Notice how 'Mlle. Ascenseur' is framed – it’s a profile view, which limits her direct engagement with the viewer. Editor: It does feel very controlled, almost like she's a type rather than an individual. There's this distance that is carefully managed. Curator: Precisely! Consider the context: this image was circulated at a time when ideas about female performers and public figures were intensely debated. Was she seen as embodying empowerment through her profession or being exploited by it? Does her clothing seem designed to be titillating or respectable? Think about who these images were intended to reach and what the goals of those audiences would have been. Editor: I hadn't really considered how carefully constructed this image is. Looking again, everything from her clothing to the angle of the portrait is geared toward fitting into those expectations. Curator: And that awareness helps us decode the politics of representation embedded in such a seemingly innocuous piece. Understanding the convergence of gender, commerce, and celebrity culture provides crucial insights into our art histories. Editor: This really gives me a new appreciation for just how much context can impact an artwork. I definitely learned a lot! Curator: Indeed! Recognizing that images are rarely neutral opens avenues for critical exploration, urging us to examine the unspoken power dynamics they often embody.