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

This is a trade card of Edith Forsyth from the Actors and Actresses series, printed by Allen & Ginter. The sepia tone flattens the image, turning it into a play of geometric forms. Notice how Forsyth's elaborate braid becomes a dominant visual element, a thick vertical line that draws the eye from the top of the card to the waist. The composition, bisected in this way, creates an interesting tension between her calm gaze and the weight of her hair, almost like a symbolic anchor. The soft tonal range and diffuse lighting serve to flatten out detail, reducing the figure to shapes. This abstraction aligns with a broader artistic shift in the late 19th century, where artists were moving away from strict representation to explore the intrinsic qualities of form. The card challenges our perception of portraiture. It invites us to consider the semiotic value of hair as a cultural signifier of femininity and status.