Ancient Tournament, from the Games and Sports series (N165) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1889

"Ancient Tournament, from the Games and Sports series" was made by Goodwin & Company as an advertisement for Old Judge Cigarettes. These cards reflect a late 19th century vision of medieval times that underscores the complex relationship between gender, spectacle, and consumer culture. In the foreground, the figure of a privileged white woman stands out, a symbol of the aspirational consumer the advertisement seeks to attract. Her gaze seems to invite viewers into the scene, positioning her as both a spectator of the tournament and a consumer of its associated pleasures. The imagined historical event, set against a backdrop of chivalry and combat, is reimagined through the lens of contemporary consumerism. It's a reminder that historical narratives are not static but are always being reshaped to serve present-day desires and ideologies. The artwork's engagement with themes of class and spectacle reflects the era's social hierarchies and the emerging culture of mass consumption.