A Short History: General Thomas Jackson, from the Histories of Generals series (N114) issued by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to promote Honest Long Cut Smoking and Chewing Tobacco 1888

This is a chromolithograph, made around 1900 by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to promote their tobacco. Chromolithography was an innovative printmaking technique that made mass production of color images affordable. Here, we see its smooth, even surface, and vibrant colors creating a collectible card intended to be included in packages of tobacco. The portraits of General Thomas Jackson romanticize the Confederacy. The making of these images relied on the division of labor, with artists, engravers, and printers each playing a role. The industrial process allowed for the wide distribution of images, shaping popular opinion, and promoting consumption. These images challenge distinctions between commercial and fine art; despite their origin as promotional material, their cultural significance and artistic value make them important artifacts. By understanding the materials, making, and context of this card, we gain insights into the complex relationship between art, commerce, and cultural memory.