E.C. Carter, Runner, from World's Champions, Second Series (N43) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1888

This small chromolithograph of E.C. Carter, runner, was created by Allen & Ginter as part of their World's Champions series. Notice how the subject, centered and framed, is composed within a series of carefully constructed layers. The central portrait is bordered by a decorative rope-like frame that gives way to detailed vignettes on either side. A soft pastel palette is used to create depth and contrast through color and texture. The runner is captured in a moment of poised stillness that seems to reflect a broader trend towards idealizing athletes. Here, the idealized figure can be viewed as a signifier of the late 19th century's cultural values, reflecting a growing interest in sports and celebrity endorsements that continue to shape contemporary popular culture. Consider how the formal elements and composition invite us to decode the cultural and historical narratives embedded within this small, yet compelling, image.