May Newman, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 1) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This card, part of Allen & Ginter's series for Virginia Brights Cigarettes, presents actress May Newman in elaborate attire. The dress, adorned with circular motifs, echoes symbols of cyclical time and eternity found in ancient cultures. The circular patterns, reminiscent of mandalas or Celtic knotwork, evoke a sense of continuity. Think of similar designs in Minoan labyrinths or the rose windows of Gothic cathedrals. The motif resurfaces, transformed, yet rooted in the primal human desire to understand time and fate. Subconsciously, such patterns resonate with our innate sense of order and connection to the cosmos. Consider how these emblems shift from sacred geometry to fashionable ornament. Yet, the underlying emotional power persists: a desire for harmony, an echo of cultural memory. This is not merely decoration but a visual echo of our shared, cyclical understanding of life.