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

This small photograph, made by Kinney Brothers, features Miss Renaldi from their "Actresses" series, a type of promotional card once tucked into cigarette packs. The figure is draped in what appears to be a kimono, a garment laden with cultural significance. More than mere fabric, the kimono represents identity, status, and artistry in Japanese culture. It’s a symbol of transformation, akin to the butterfly emerging from its cocoon, a motif we find echoed through history. The arrangement of the kimono around Miss Renaldi, almost like a theatrical costume, is reminiscent of classical drapery in Greek sculpture. The kimono's presence speaks to the Western fascination with the exotic East, a recurring theme explored in art and literature, where Eastern aesthetics serve as both inspiration and projection of Western fantasies. The cross-cultural use of the kimono tells a tale of appropriation and artistic exchange, mirroring the complex dance of identity and perception.