Jem Smith, Pugilist, from World's Champions, Series 1 (N28) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1887

Editor: Here we have "Jem Smith, Pugilist" from 1887, made by Allen & Ginter for their Cigarettes series. It’s a coloured pencil drawing that’s been printed, and it's wild to think about it as being on a cigarette card! The card has a quiet energy, sort of like a boxer holding back, I suppose. What catches your eye in this piece? Curator: Well, the immediacy, for one. I see this print less as high art, and more as a piece of ephemeral culture. But consider how a fleeting portrait captures not just Jem Smith, the fighter, but a slice of Victorian society! I am always fascinated with these trading cards of the time. I always wonder who collected them and why. It shows the cultural phenomenon of celebrity at that moment. Editor: Celebrity, yes! Do you think the artist was trying to idealize him, even for such a small piece? Curator: Idealize, maybe not in the classical sense, but elevate? Absolutely! Look at the subtle impressionistic brushstrokes, imbuing the subject with a sense of dynamism that’s quite striking, no? And of course it sold cigarettes, let’s not forget that! It’s almost voyeuristic looking back; do you think Smith knew his image would outlast his boxing career in this manner? Editor: It’s pretty incredible that we're talking about a cigarette card that’s become a museum piece! It definitely adds another layer to how we think about art, doesn’t it? Thanks for the perspective. Curator: My pleasure! It's amazing to ponder what seemingly ordinary items say about our obsessions! Who knew that such humble objects held so much significance for the times?!