Lea D'ascot, Paris, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 1) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This is a promotional card for Virginia Brights Cigarettes, featuring Lea D'ascot, a Parisian actress. The sepia tone lends a nostalgic air. Notice the composition is tightly framed, focusing intently on the actress. The artist plays with textures, from the soft, diffused quality of her skin to the intricate patterns of her hat and dress. The actress's gaze, directed slightly upward, engages the viewer directly. The ornate, almost baroque details of her attire contrast with the minimalist backdrop, drawing attention to her presence and the artificiality of the image. The card operates as a sign, encoding cultural values related to celebrity, fashion, and consumption. Its format, as a cigarette card, blurs the boundaries between art and advertising, reflecting the commodification of beauty and fame. The actress is presented as a carefully constructed persona, a series of signs inviting interpretation. Consider how this small, mass-produced image participates in larger discourses about identity, representation, and desire.