Portrait of woman, from the Novelties series (N228, Type 1) issued by Kinney Bros. 1889

This is a portrait of a woman from the Novelties series, created by Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company. These cards, dating back to the late 19th century, offer us a glimpse into the popular imagery of the time. The woman depicted here, with her fair skin, light eyes, and fur-lined coat, embodies a certain ideal of feminine beauty and bourgeois status. Her gaze is direct, yet her slight smile suggests a demure quality which speaks to the gendered expectations of the era. These cards were included in tobacco products, indicating how deeply entrenched images of idealized femininity were in the culture and commerce of the time. They were a means of both reflecting and shaping desires, selling not just tobacco but a lifestyle and set of values. It's a reminder of how advertising plays a role in constructing and perpetuating societal norms, even on such a small scale. Consider the stories these images tell, and the subtle ways they communicate norms about gender, class, and desire.