Yolande Wallace, from the Actresses series (N245) issued by Kinney Brothers to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1890

This is a photograph of Yolande Wallace, from the "Actresses" series, created by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company around the turn of the 20th century to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. These cards, distributed with tobacco products, offer a glimpse into the era's commodification of female performers. Yolande Wallace, like many actresses of her time, navigated a complex landscape of fame, societal expectations, and the male gaze. The pose, both coy and confident, speaks to the balancing act these women performed. Wallace's attire—the glimpse of lace beneath her skirt—hints at the intimate and the public nature of her profession. These cards were undeniably commercial objects, yet they also functioned as a form of representation, shaping and reflecting societal views of women in the theater. While they may perpetuate certain stereotypes, they simultaneously document the presence and visibility of women in the public sphere. They prompt us to reflect on the historical and ongoing negotiation of identity, performance, and spectatorship.