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

This sepia photograph by W. Duke, Sons & Co., presents the actress Isabelle Coe. The column beside her evokes classical architecture, suggesting timelessness and sophistication. Notice her raised arm, leaning against the column. This gesture echoes those found in ancient Greek sculptures of muses or nymphs. Consider, too, how such a pose reappears in Renaissance paintings of allegorical figures, each time subtly shifting in meaning yet retaining a sense of grace and poise. The gesture, laden with history, speaks to our collective memory. The fact that this classically inspired pose is used to sell cigarettes underscores the cyclical nature of cultural symbols. The advertisers of the time were aware of how effective it is to reference the past in order to appeal to the subconscious emotions and desires of the viewer, creating an intriguing dialogue between high art and commercial culture.