Horseman, Greece, B.C., from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

This small chromolithograph from the Kinney Tobacco Company, dating back to around 1888, presents a "Horseman, Greece, B.C." The overall design is strikingly flat, almost a heraldic display. The figure is defined by bold outlines and filled with areas of colour, creating a stylized effect. The armour, rendered in alternating bands of red and blue, adds a vibrant, decorative quality to the warrior's attire. Consider the structural implications of this flatness. The lack of traditional perspective shifts our focus away from depth and realism, instead directing us to appreciate the arrangement of shapes and colours on the surface. The backdrop, with its geometric patterns and floral motifs, further emphasizes the design's surface-oriented aesthetic. The interplay between figure and ground creates a dynamic tension. This work offers a cultural commentary, where the image functions as a signifier, evoking notions of antiquity through a modern, commercial medium.