Mlle. Sorel, from the Actresses series (N245) issued by Kinney Brothers to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1890

Editor: So this is "Mlle. Sorel, from the Actresses series" by Kinney Brothers, dating to around 1890. It seems to be a photographic print. What strikes me is the sheer artifice of the image. It’s clearly staged to project an image, and I’m curious how that plays into the wider cultural context of the time. What's your read? Curator: The Actresses series is fascinating as a window into the burgeoning celebrity culture of the late 19th century. These cards, distributed with cigarettes, were essentially proto-marketing tools. Think about the socio-political forces at play: increased literacy, mass production, and the growing accessibility of visual media. Editor: So, it's less about high art and more about... advertising? Curator: Precisely. But that doesn’t diminish its significance. This card demonstrates how images were used to construct and disseminate ideals of beauty and fame, specifically targeting a mass audience. The actress is presented in a very particular way. What do you notice about her presentation? The hat, the veil...? Editor: There is such an emphasis on her presentation, it's almost theatrical, it creates distance. Curator: Exactly. And who consumes the image? Predominantly men, buying cigarettes. It's an object of desire, commodified alongside tobacco. Think about the power dynamics embedded in this transaction and what these images might represent. Editor: It seems that even a simple promotional image like this reflects larger societal trends. The seeds of modern celebrity culture. I’ll certainly think differently about advertising now! Curator: Absolutely. Analyzing these images allows us to explore how institutions use art and imagery for marketing but at a wider perspective also to create meaning and aspiration, shaping societal views of beauty and celebrity.