Lillian Kennedy, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-8) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1890 - 1895
wdukesonsco
themetropolitanmuseumofart
drawing, print
portrait
photo of handprinted image
drawing
toned paper
light pencil work
water colours
possibly oil pastel
underpainting
pastel chalk drawing
men
watercolour bleed
watercolour illustration
watercolor
This is a carte de visite from the "Actors and Actresses" series, a collection of trading cards issued by W. Duke, Sons & Co., to promote their Duke Cigarettes. The photograph depicts Lillian Kennedy, an actress from the late 19th century. The series features various actors and actresses of the time, showcasing the popularity of theater and the growing influence of celebrity culture in American society. This specific card, measuring 2 11/16 × 1 3/8 in. (6.8 × 3.5 cm), is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The card itself is a prime example of the carte de visite, a small photograph that became popular in the mid-19th century, often used for promotional purposes. These cards were a key form of visual dissemination, and they demonstrate the transition from traditional print media to photography as a primary method for sharing information and creating cultural narratives.
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