Harrier, from the Dogs of the World series for Old Judge Cigarettes 1890

Curator: What a sweet pup. There’s almost a vintage aura about this artwork, a comforting nostalgia... it's quite charming. Editor: Indeed. Here we have "Harrier, from the Dogs of the World series for Old Judge Cigarettes," dating back to 1890, and currently residing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It was created by Goodwin & Company, and uses materials like coloured pencil and print. The image seems like it came directly out of the Gilded Age, the very epoch in which this small piece emerged! Curator: Old Judge Cigarettes! The thought amuses me; this serene canine unknowingly promoting tobacco! Talk about the juxtaposition of the gentle and the detrimental, haha! This small drawing feels like a candid snapshot. Editor: Yes! Think about it within the context of burgeoning industrialization and urbanization, especially the popularity of these collectible cards, often promoting an idealized vision of both nature and national identity. We can view the popular "Dogs of the World" series as a celebration of particular breeds linked to colonial powers like Great Britain, while reinforcing social hierarchies associated with purebred animals during a period marked by intense immigration and class stratification. Curator: It almost feels like a Victorian family album... What strikes me most is the tender look in its eye, that dreamy softness achieved with colored pencil, and that subtle blending! It evokes such gentleness. I find it interesting they included the breed, perhaps they wanted us to idealize it? Editor: The deliberate portrayal of breed aligns perfectly with the era's focus on pedigree and status. The portrait’s soft execution reinforces ideals of gentility and cultivated taste associated with a consumerist elite. Curator: And now I have an unexpected longing to run my hands through some coloured pencils... What about you, any afterthoughts? Editor: Oh, only to maybe hunt down one of these myself and spark conversations about historical consumerism! I would like to highlight how commercial and cultural phenomena intersect. This piece acts like a small, tangible lens through which to understand broader historical narratives!