Annie Russell, from the Actresses series (N203) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. 1889

This portrait of Annie Russell comes from a series of cigarette cards issued by William S. Kimball & Company. The card's sepia tones and compact size create an intimate viewing experience. The composition divides into distinct zones. The lower section features horizontal stripes, contrasting with the radial lines of the hat above, framing Annie Russell's face, softly illuminated. The formal structure and materiality are telling. The mass production and distribution of such cards reflected a shift toward consumer culture and the commodification of images in the late 19th century. This challenges traditional notions of art as a unique, handcrafted object and instead presents art as a mass-produced commodity. The use of a popular actress as the subject also speaks to the blurring lines between art, celebrity culture, and commerce, inviting us to consider how cultural values are constructed and circulated through images.