The Cross of the Legion of Honor, France, from the World's Decorations series (N30) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1890

Editor: Here we have "The Cross of the Legion of Honor, France" made in 1890 by Allen & Ginter as part of their World's Decorations series. It's a print with colored pencil and watercolor. It feels quite formal and ornate. How do you interpret this work? Curator: Well, beyond its face value as a representation of a French medal, this image opens a door to a much larger conversation about nationalism, colonialism, and the construction of value systems. Who decides who is worthy of honor, and on what grounds? This medal, like all national symbols, represents a carefully curated version of history. Editor: So you are saying that displaying such a medal promoted specific political values? Curator: Absolutely. Consider the context: this print was included in cigarette packs, a very accessible medium. This made it easy to distribute, exposing a wide audience to this symbol of French power and prestige at a time of intense colonial expansion and the rise of nationalism. What stories of exclusion are interwoven within this image, which is seemingly an honor and prestige symbol? Who would have felt empowered or marginalized by this object? Editor: That's a great point; it made me think about the less visible narratives behind grand symbols of patriotism. So much gets overlooked. Curator: Precisely! These kinds of objects were intended to reinforce a hierarchy. Examining art as cultural artifacts, it unveils narratives of power, privilege, and marginalization and enables us to dissect the symbols that normalize inequality. It requires active engagement and questioning! Editor: This definitely gives me a different perspective on how to interpret what I see. I realize it is a constant critical engagement. Thank you.