Sadie Martinot, from the Actors and Actresses series (N171) for Gypsy Queen Cigarettes 1886 - 1890

This is a photographic print of Sadie Martinot, part of the Actors and Actresses series for Gypsy Queen Cigarettes, created by Goodwin & Company in the late 19th century. The subdued sepia tones and the soft focus lend the image an air of nostalgic reverie. The composition is structured around the interplay of light and shadow, emphasizing the textures of her ruffled cap and delicate features. Sadie Martinot is elegantly framed, her gaze directed slightly off-center, which invites a sense of narrative speculation. This was during a time when photography was shifting from purely representational to a medium capable of conveying emotion and atmosphere. Considered through a semiotic lens, the image functions as a sign, composed of visual codes. The format is that of a commercial cigarette card, but the portrait aesthetic is from the period, imbuing Martinot with a sense of celebrity. What we see is not merely an actress, but also a cultural artifact, inviting us to examine its construction and the values it reflects.