Davenport Sisters, from the Actors and Actresses series (N145-8) issued by Duke Sons & Co. to promote Duke Cigarettes 1890 - 1895

This trade card, printed by Duke Sons & Co., features the Davenport Sisters in a most curious pose. Here, they are arranged to resemble a peacock’s fan, their voluminous skirts spread wide. The peacock, a symbol of vanity and pride, has long held a place in the human psyche. Consider how the peacock motif reappears through art history, from ancient Roman mosaics to Renaissance paintings, often associated with Juno, the queen of the gods. In these depictions, the peacock symbolizes beauty, immortality, and, at times, arrogance. The inherent paradox of its symbolism, oscillating between admiration and moral condemnation, underscores our complex relationship with beauty and spectacle. The Davenport Sisters, performers by trade, knowingly engage with the peacock’s symbolism. Their carefully crafted image invites us to reflect on the ever-shifting nature of symbols, how they adapt and find new resonance across time. It is a reminder that the images we create and consume are laden with layers of historical memory, engaging us on a subconscious level.