Porcupine Fish, from the series Fishers and Fish (N74) for Duke brand cigarettes 1888

Knapp & Company created this small lithograph titled 'Porcupine Fish' as part of a series of promotional trading cards for Duke brand cigarettes. The series ‘Fishers and Fish’ embodies the visual culture of the late 19th century, a period marked by industrial expansion and evolving gender roles. The card depicts a caricature of a woman with a disproportionately large head, dressed in what was considered domestic attire, yet she stands in a natural setting with a fishing rod. She has caught a porcupine fish, a strange deep-sea creature. These cards offer a glimpse into the complex intersections of gender, class, and consumerism during the Gilded Age. The tension between the woman’s refined appearance and her engagement in fishing—a traditionally masculine activity—challenges conventional representations. The card reflects a society grappling with changing norms, where women were increasingly visible in public life, even as their roles remained circumscribed by social expectations. Ultimately, this work serves as a reminder of the subtle yet powerful ways in which art can reflect and shape societal attitudes.