Card Number 111, Miss Jarbeau, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-6) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1880s

This card, number 111 from the Actors and Actresses series by Duke Sons & Co., presents Miss Jarbeau in sepia tones that evoke a bygone era. Her pose, hand confidently on her hip, cuts a dynamic form against the soft, blurred background. The composition is carefully structured to draw the eye upwards, from the textual information at the bottom, through the figure, to the company's declaration at the top. The drape of her dress and shawl creates a series of diagonal lines which add movement, contrasting with the static nature of photography. These cards functioned within a semiotic system. The image of Miss Jarbeau, an actress, a symbol of beauty and talent, signifies the quality and sophistication that Duke Cigarettes sought to associate with their brand. The card is not just a portrait but an early form of advertisement, using cultural codes to create meaning and value around a commodity. It invites us to consider how such images blur the lines between art, commerce, and identity.