Chrysanthemum: Resignation, from the series Floral Beauties and Language of Flowers (N75) for Duke brand cigarettes 1892

Curator: This lovely piece is called "Chrysanthemum: Resignation," part of the series "Floral Beauties and Language of Flowers" created in 1892 for Duke brand cigarettes. Editor: The title says resignation, but that serene face gives me anything but! The floral arrangement surrounding the figure definitely has a certain melancholic beauty, though. Curator: Absolutely, and that's part of the charm of these advertising cards. Think about it: this small print, made of watercolor and gouache, was distributed with cigarettes, embedding it in the daily lives of people. Editor: So it's not just about the artistry, but also the cultural function, a commodity intertwined with another commodity. Who decided what flower means what feeling? And what image of femininity they thought would sell cigarettes? Curator: The intersection of commerce and aesthetics is fascinating, and the language of flowers, assigning symbolic meanings, added a layer of sophistication, connecting consumer desires to products. Editor: You make a strong point! This really changes the game from thinking about this artwork as purely an object of beauty. What can we learn by looking closely at the labor required to mass produce and circulate artworks such as this? The skill, but also the scale, are worth noting. Curator: Right. Examining the choice of gouache and watercolor is key too. They are relatively fast mediums allowing for efficient production within the means and demands of advertising. Editor: Considering this from the perspective of someone who might have collected this card back then, do you think they would be thinking so critically about how it reflects or affects social politics? Curator: Well, whether consciously or not, people were engaging with these representations of beauty and assigned meanings. These pocket-sized images subtly shaped cultural values regarding consumerism. Editor: True! This brief analysis shifts this dainty watercolor print into a space of historical context. This little drawing offers a unique lens into commercial desires of the 19th Century.