Lulu Herne, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 1) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

Editor: This is "Lulu Herne, from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 1) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes," dating from between 1885 and 1891. It's a photographic print, originally made for a cigarette card, and now residing at the Met. I’m immediately struck by the performative aspect – she’s clearly posing, and there's something almost melancholic about her expression despite the glamour. What's your take? Curator: Melancholic glamour – I love that. You know, these cards, they're so much more than tiny advertisements. Think about it: theater stars, captured and reproduced *en masse*. Each a small window into a world of fantasy, fame… and a fair amount of manufactured desire. The slightly sepia tone almost enhances that feeling, doesn’t it? Editor: It does, actually. It's like looking at a faded dream. I guess the ‘appropriation’ tag makes a lot of sense too, using her image for marketing. Curator: Absolutely. This era saw such an explosion of images; celebrities, advertising, art… they all started swirling together. Almost like our social media feeds today, only tinier and sold with tobacco. Makes you wonder what Lulu herself thought about it. Did she feel empowered, exploited, or somewhere in between? Editor: Hmm, I hadn’t considered that! Maybe a little of all three? Curator: Precisely. These images condense complex social currents into something we can hold in our hands. Did anything surprise you, looking at this image? Editor: The direct gaze of the model feels surprising for the format. Also, now I'm thinking about the intended audience... primarily men smoking cigarettes? Interesting! Curator: Exactly! Little objects speaking volumes – who knew a cigarette card could be so insightful? Editor: Definitely given me a lot to ponder. Thanks!