Card Number 308, M'Tortard, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-5) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Cameo Cigarettes 1880s

This promotional card for Cameo Cigarettes, created around 1900 by W. Duke, Sons & Co., presents a sepia-toned image of an actor in costume. The composition is dominated by two figures arranged vertically: an older man carrying a child in a basket on his back. The monochromatic palette emphasizes the textures within the image—the rough weave of the basket, the fabrics of the costumes, and the fine details of the actors' faces. This use of texture adds depth, contrasting the smooth, almost blank background, and highlights the symbolic nature of the players who are the centre of focus. The child's upward gesture creates a sense of connection, as the child's arm is parallel to the walking stick behind. It draws attention to the staged nature of the photograph. This juxtaposition of elements invites a semiotic reading, where the cigarette card challenges fixed meanings of gender and identity. The act of representing and promoting blur the lines between the performer and the performance.