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

This photograph of Omene, from the Actresses series, was produced by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company as a promotional item for Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. These cards were a cultural phenomenon in the late 19th century United States. Intended as collectible inserts, they reveal much about the social and cultural values of the time. The exoticized depiction of Omene, likely a white performer in costume, speaks to the Orientalist fascination prevalent in Western societies. This commercial image played into fantasies of the "Orient" as a space of spectacle, luxury, and eroticism. Consider the context: tobacco companies wielded considerable power, and advertising like this helped shape public perceptions, and even reinforced power structures by creating idealized images that had very little to do with reality. By examining such images, and tracing the historical context of their production and consumption, we can better understand the complex relationship between commerce, culture, and representation.