Cello, from the Musical Instruments series (N82) for Duke brand cigarettes 1888

This 1888 chromolithograph, part of a series promoting Duke brand cigarettes, depicts a woman holding a cello. The artwork, titled "Cello, from the Musical Instruments series (N82) for Duke brand cigarettes," is a prime example of the use of visual imagery to promote consumer products in the late 19th century. The woman's elegant attire and the refined instrument suggest a sense of sophistication and refinement, associating Duke cigarettes with a desirable lifestyle. This piece, currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is a fascinating example of the intersection of art and advertising in the Gilded Age.