Drum Major, France, 1793, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

This small chromolithograph, made by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company in the late 19th century, depicts a French drum major from 1793. These cards were produced to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. But let's consider this image in relation to its social and cultural context. The figure's elaborate uniform, complete with a tricolor plume, connects to the visual codes of military authority in late 18th-century France. The date is significant: 1793 was a key moment in the French Revolution, a period marked by radical social upheaval and military conflict. The army was reorganized, with emphasis being placed on revolutionary fervor. This card illustrates an idealized military figure, whose elegance deflects from the chaos of the era. Understanding this image requires looking into military history. The resources of institutions like the Metropolitan Museum, where it is housed, allow us to reflect on the meanings of art within a specific social and institutional context.