Mlle. Lanteline, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 8) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

Allen & Ginter created this small albumen silver print of Mlle. Lanteline as part of a series to advertise Virginia Brights Cigarettes. These cards, popular in the late 19th century, offered a glimpse into the lives of performers, reflecting a growing fascination with celebrity culture. Here, Mlle. Lanteline is adorned in what could be described as orientalist costume, a style that was in vogue and indicative of the Western world's exoticization of the East. These theatrical representations often perpetuated stereotypes, showcasing the complex relationship between performance, identity, and cultural appropriation. The actress gazes upwards, perhaps hinting at aspirations of stardom, yet she is also a commodity, a face used to sell cigarettes, highlighting the intersections of art, commerce, and gender in the construction of identity. Consider how this image might have shaped perceptions, both of the actress herself, and the cultural narratives she embodied. This photograph is a reminder of the nuanced and sometimes problematic ways in which identity is performed, consumed, and remembered.