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

This is a promotional card featuring Fräulein Andree, part of the Actors and Actresses series by Allen & Ginter. The sepia tone immediately situates us in the late 19th century, when such cards were inserted into cigarette packs. The composition is rigidly hierarchical, with the actress centered, her form tightly controlled by the constricting garments of the time. Andree is framed as an object of spectacle and consumption, both literally and figuratively. The actress's presentation reflects how women, particularly performers, were codified within emerging consumer culture. Consider how the sharp lines of her corset and the deliberate pose contrast with the more fluid, expressive possibilities of the stage. This tension between constraint and performance, between the individual and their representation, opens up questions about identity, agency, and the gaze. As viewers, we’re invited to consider the layers of constructed meaning inherent in this simple card.