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

Curator: Well, what's your first impression of this delicate piece? I find its muted tones rather striking. Editor: It's sepia, and very atmospheric. A tad melancholic, even. Is it a painting? Curator: Actually, it's a photograph. Part of a promotional series called “Actresses," made around 1890 by Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company to market Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. The actress is Lilian Wren. Editor: A tobacco advertisement, you say? So, it’s all about capturing the public’s imagination. Note how the diagonal sweep of her posture, the cascading lines of her costume, directs the eye…quite staged. Curator: Indeed. Cigarette cards, like this one, offer a glimpse into the cultural landscape of the late 19th century, shaping perceptions of beauty and fame. It was mass produced and intended to circulate widely. Editor: The formal qualities tell a story of their own: The tonal gradations, the precise rendering of fabric and shadow, even the texture in that carved chair… These details work together to create an impression of opulence and sophistication. Curator: The performative nature of identity is quite evident; Wren is styled in a manner to enhance her celebrity. Kinney Brothers were acutely aware of the burgeoning celebrity culture, capitalizing on it to shift product. Editor: It's fascinating how an image meant for such a fleeting purpose manages to convey so much about the period. Curator: And still invites lingering contemplation from us in a totally different era. A testament, perhaps, to its artistic power. Editor: Exactly. The very form echoes themes that go far beyond the piece’s historical role as an advertisement. Curator: A final testament to an era captivated by image and eager for sensation, now captured and reframed in our museum space.