Card Number 222, Nadage Doree, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-7) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1880s

Editor: So, here we have "Card Number 222, Nadage Doree," from the Actors and Actresses series, a cigarette card by Duke Sons & Co. from the 1880s. The photo has a sepia tone that reminds me of old films. How would you interpret this? Curator: This isn't just an image of an actress; it's a glimpse into the complex relationship between celebrity, consumerism, and the construction of femininity in the late 19th century. The Duke cigarette company used images like these to cultivate a desire for both their product and a certain ideal of beauty and status. Editor: So, it's selling more than cigarettes, it’s selling a lifestyle? Curator: Exactly! Think about the context: the rise of industrial capitalism, urbanization, and a growing middle class with newfound disposable income. Cigarettes become a symbol of sophistication and allure. The actress, Nadage Doree, is not just herself but also a stand-in for the aspirational desires of the consumer. And, consider the male gaze inherent in the staging of this image for mass consumption. How do you think Doree experienced being turned into a commodity? Editor: That’s really interesting! I didn't initially consider the commodification aspect so deeply. Curator: It's easy to overlook. But we need to unpack how images like these, disseminated so widely, helped shape societal norms and expectations surrounding gender, class, and even leisure. This card encapsulates the power dynamics at play and highlights how deeply intertwined art, commerce, and social ideology can be. Editor: This makes me rethink what I initially saw as a simple portrait! Curator: These objects can tell incredibly complex and revealing stories if we approach them with a critical eye. There's a wealth of historical, cultural and social implications loaded into the image that reflects how woman's status was being actively transformed during the period.