Harp, from the Novelties series (N228, Type 4) issued by Kinney Bros. 1889

This small chromolithograph was made by Kinney Bros. Tobacco Company as part of a series of collectible cards included in their cigarette packs. These cards, like this one titled 'Harp', reflect the aesthetic and cultural values of the late 19th century. The idealized representation of the woman, framed within the shape of a harp, speaks to the era's romanticization of femininity and its association with music and art. The classical drapery and the angelic figure at the top of the harp evoke a sense of timeless beauty, yet this imagery was mass-produced as a marketing tool. Consider the complex dynamic at play: this idealized image of womanhood was used to sell tobacco products, a commodity deeply entangled with issues of class, labor, and health. The emotional and personal appeal of the image is carefully crafted, but it serves a commercial purpose. The card asks us to think about the relationship between art, commerce, and the construction of identity in a rapidly changing industrial society.