[Actress posing in draped cloths], from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-8) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1890 - 1895

This photographic print, part of the Actors and Actresses series, was produced by W. Duke, Sons & Co. around the turn of the 20th century as a promotional item for Duke Cigarettes. Small cards like these were immensely popular. They offer a fascinating glimpse into the performance industry and the visual culture of the time. The actress, draped in fabric that suggests both classical statuary and contemporary fashion, embodies an image of idealized femininity. These photographs were distributed at a time when mass media was beginning to shape perceptions of beauty, fame, and gender roles. While appearing glamorous, the actresses were also subject to the male gaze and the commercial interests of the tobacco company. The image subtly negotiates the tension between female agency and objectification, inviting viewers to consider the complex roles women played in public life. It asks what it meant to be both an artist and a commodity.