Della Fox, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 8) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This is a cabinet card of Della Fox, an actress from the late 19th century, created by Allen & Ginter for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. Note the ornate detailing on her dress, particularly the swirling patterns around the shoulders. These kinds of motifs can be traced back centuries. Think of the swirling patterns in ancient Minoan art, or the elaborate drapery in Renaissance paintings. They all serve to draw the eye, to create a sense of movement and dynamism. The same impulse that drove ancient artists to decorate their pottery now appears in the embellishments of a stage actress's gown. It’s as if our collective unconscious is drawn to these forms, finding in them a sense of beauty and vitality that transcends time. These patterns speak to an underlying human need for aesthetic expression, a need that manifests itself in endlessly varied forms across history.