Carrie Behr, Corsair Co., from the Actors and Actresses series (N45, Type 6) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1885 - 1891

This is an advertisement trading card for Virginia Brights Cigarettes, featuring Carrie Behr of the Corsair Co. In this sepia toned card, the composition is dominated by the actress’s portrait, with a soft focus that blurs the edges and creates a dreamy effect. The textured, almost chaotic arrangement of her hair contrasts with the smooth, undefined expanse of her bare shoulders. The overall effect is a tension between clarity and ambiguity. The card functions on a semiotic level, using the actress’s image as a signifier for the cigarette brand. It suggests an aspirational lifestyle, connecting the consumption of cigarettes with beauty and theatrical performance. The soft focus and sepia tone evoke nostalgia, appealing to the viewer's emotions. The card challenges the traditional notions of portraiture by using it for commercial purposes. It’s an early example of how advertising blurs the lines between art and commerce, creating a system of signs that influences consumer behaviour.