Loise Mortimer, from the Actresses series (N245) issued by Kinney Brothers to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1890

Editor: So this is a portrait of Loise Mortimer, taken around 1890, as part of a series of actresses used to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes by Kinney Brothers. It's an albumen print, and it has a surprisingly playful and bold feel. What's your take on this image, considering its context? Curator: Well, considering its intended purpose as advertisement, the image is a fascinating glimpse into the late 19th century's perception of women and their connection with burgeoning consumer culture. Tobacco companies often used actresses, dancers, and other performers to market their products. What’s particularly interesting here is the subject's direct gaze and somewhat androgynous costuming. How does that strike you? Editor: I see what you mean about the gaze, it does command attention. It is really powerful, almost confrontational. The outfit seems daring too. Is she posed against what seems to be netting of some sort? Curator: Precisely. It may imply the 'stage' and therefore reinforce her celebrity. This imagery becomes increasingly pervasive in broader visual culture, influencing how women perceive themselves and how society perceives them. How might these commercial images influence views of women in entertainment and beyond at the time, especially when considering societal expectations and moral constraints? Editor: I guess seeing these women associated with leisure and vice in advertising, subtly challenges and redefines the image of ideal womanhood, creating a complex tension. I hadn't thought about the marketing having that kind of impact on society at the time! Curator: Indeed. Images like these, seemingly simple advertisements, participated in much larger conversations around gender, class, and consumerism in that era. Editor: Thank you, I will definitely look more into how that marketing actually influenced the culture at that time!