A Short History of General William Starke Rosecrans, from the Histories of Generals series of booklets (N78) for Duke brand cigarettes 1888

Curator: This small but mighty chromolithograph, dating back to 1888, depicts General William Starke Rosecrans. It was originally part of a series of collectible booklets distributed with Duke brand cigarettes. The image utilizes colored pencils and printmaking techniques. Editor: Immediately, I notice the emphasis on linear details – the cross-hatching on the skin creates a certain energy, while the overall effect is rather dignified for what I assume was a piece of promotional ephemera. Curator: Exactly! This wasn't fine art in the traditional sense, but mass media created in the image of celebrity, meant to cultivate consumer loyalty during a tumultuous political period shortly after the Civil War. Think about the function of nostalgia here, both in memorializing Civil War figures and, undoubtedly, subtly evoking specific sentiments. Editor: Speaking of which, the profile view, the crisp uniform – the artist clearly understands the visual language of power. The placement of his name beneath a decorative ribbon suggests a badge or title of some kind. There is a conscious attempt to visually associate him with prestige. The beard, too, denotes wisdom and experience – traits considered virtuous at the time. Curator: It's interesting to consider how Rosecrans himself participated in, or perhaps resisted, these projections. The weight of the "General" title must have been significant. We must recognize that public figures become products within cultural narratives that simultaneously revere and obscure aspects of real individual agency. Editor: That tension—between reality and manufactured image—resonates powerfully today. How different is this approach from contemporary modes of identity-making on social media? Both are acts of image-crafting, but with vastly different distributions and contexts of reception. It begs the question of what historical continuities are echoed here. Curator: Certainly, there are interesting overlaps that exist around image and commodification between Rosecrans’ time and the current moment, even though separated by many technological advancements. I keep coming back to those colors, and imagining them influencing someone's decision at the tobacco shop. Editor: And, by analyzing the composition and symbology of images like this one, we gain a deeper understanding of their potential power. Curator: Indeed. By examining how this modest collectible worked on its contemporary audience, we expose a fascinating lens onto power dynamics during the late 19th century.