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

Allen & Ginter created this photographic print of May Yohe as part of the Actors and Actresses series for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. The monochromatic palette emphasizes the stark contrast between light and shadow. Yohe’s face, softly lit, emerges from the darker tones of her elaborate lace head covering. The artist’s focus on texture and form, rather than color, creates a sense of timelessness. Considering the card's original context as a cigarette insert, the image operates within a semiotic system of desire and commodification. Yohe's carefully constructed image—her gaze, her attire—functions as a sign, inviting viewers to associate her allure with the Virginia Brights brand. This juxtaposition of art and advertisement challenges traditional notions of value, suggesting that meaning is constructed through a complex interplay of visual codes. Ultimately, the photograph’s enduring appeal lies in its formal qualities—the subtle gradations of tone and delicate rendering of texture—which invite ongoing interpretation.