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

Editor: Here we have "Johnston, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 1) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes" dating from 1885-1891. It seems to be a photograph, adhered to paper. There's an elegance to the pose, but the cigarette advertisement seems a little...crass for the subject. What do you see in this piece? Curator: This is part of a series of collectible cards inserted into cigarette packs. The figure, "Johnston," is a stage performer, likely not from the social elite. It’s tempting to interpret this as a moment of intersectionality. What happens when the performative roles of actors collide with the emerging advertising industry and its representation of femininity? The card, intended for male smokers, frames her in a way that caters to the male gaze. How do you see that playing out? Editor: So, the card serves two purposes: promoting cigarettes and…commodifying the actress, right? It feels like the advertising is objectifying her, placing her image on a product to be consumed. Curator: Precisely. And it's worth noting the economic aspect. For women, performance offered avenues for social mobility, but often at the expense of agency and autonomy. The burgeoning media of photography and print culture contributed to the widespread dissemination – and control – of their image. To what extent does the photograph perpetuate or challenge social power dynamics of the time? Editor: I never considered how those systems interact in a single image like this. It’s a bit unsettling, but really fascinating to consider how the context informs the work itself. Curator: Indeed. Looking at it this way gives us insight into how gender, class, and burgeoning consumer culture intertwine. Editor: Thanks, I'm really glad I asked about it, I have so much to think about.