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

This is a promotional card of Ida Mulle, one of a series of actresses produced by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company to advertise Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. These cards emerged in the late 19th century, a time when the burgeoning consumer culture capitalized on the popularity of actresses. Consider the complex layers at play. Mulle, like other actresses, was both a celebrated performer and a commodity, her image circulated to sell tobacco products. The photograph captures her in a pose of either prayer or supplication, hinting at the emotional performance expected of women both on and off stage. These cards offered a glimpse into the lives of actresses, but they simultaneously reinforced the period's societal expectations and the evolving dynamics of celebrity culture. These images blur the lines between art, commerce, and the construction of female identity in the public sphere.