Helen Dauvray in Algerian Costume, from the set Actors and Actresses, Second Series (N71) for Duke brand cigarettes 1888 - 1890

W. Duke, Sons & Co. produced this chromolithograph trading card around the turn of the century. Here we see a portrait of actress Helen Dauvray in what is described as Algerian costume, set within a rectangular frame. Note how the artist uses color to demarcate the figure from its background, creating a strong contrast that isolates and spotlights Dauvray. The composition is bisected by a diagonal axis which runs from the upper right corner of her hat to the lower left edge of her vest. This division creates a dynamic tension that draws the eye across the image, engaging with the texture and details of her attire. Symmetrical framing balances the overall composition. The cultural codes embedded in this image – theatricality, exoticism, and commercialism – reflect broader societal interests and values. This chromolithograph functions not merely as a portrait but as a complex interplay of representation, identity, and commerce.