Turtle, from the Novelties series (N228, Type 4) issued by Kinney Bros. 1889

Editor: So, this is "Turtle, from the Novelties series," made in 1889 by Kinney Bros. It's a print, a small paper drawing, part of an old tobacco advertising campaign. It’s an unusual composition. What's your take on this, from an art history perspective? Curator: Well, it presents a fascinating intersection of portraiture and cultural symbolism. The use of the turtle form, juxtaposed with the portrait of a young woman, prompts a consideration of the role of women at the time. What does the figure *in* the turtle shell represent to you? Editor: It feels like she’s presented almost as a trophy, or a collectible item within this turtle-shaped frame. It reminds me a bit of Ukiyo-e prints, which also featured portraits but were made for a wider consumer market. Curator: Precisely! The commercial context is crucial. These trade cards were designed to be collected. By adopting aesthetic elements reminiscent of Japanese Ukiyo-e prints, do you think the Kinney Brothers company might have been trying to convey exoticism and exclusivity? Editor: Yes, it adds a layer of class and desirability to the tobacco brand, doesn't it? But it also raises questions about cultural appropriation. Was this exoticism used in ways that furthered certain political agendas or power imbalances? Curator: Absolutely. Examining this artwork through a postcolonial lens makes it crucial to consider issues of representation and cultural exchange within asymmetrical power structures. And how are gender and race at play in the construction of these ideals of beauty? Editor: I never thought a simple advertisement could be so loaded with meaning! Thanks for broadening my perspective. Curator: It is in the seemingly mundane objects that we often find the most potent reflections of our social fabric, wouldn't you agree?