Emma Warde, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 8) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This is a mounted card featuring Emma Warde from the Actors and Actresses series created by Allen & Ginter. The sepia tone gives the photograph a warm, antiquated feel, immediately placing it in the late 19th century. Warde is captured in a moment of repose; her gaze directed upwards, away from us. The composition centres on her figure, framed by a chair and a suggestion of a backdrop, yet the focus remains intensely on her. Notice the interplay of light and shadow across her dress, highlighting the texture of the fabric and the floral details adorning her attire. The semiotic weight of these details cannot be ignored; they speak to the cultural codes of beauty and femininity prevalent at the time. This image, mass-produced as a cigarette card, enters a dialogue about celebrity, commodification, and the gaze, inviting continuous interpretation.