Snake Dance, from National Dances (N225, Type 2) issued by Kinney Bros. 1889

This chromolithograph of a ‘Snake Dance’ was produced by Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company as a cigarette card. The card belongs to a series called ‘National Dances’, which offers a glimpse into the representation of world cultures at the turn of the 19th century. The image depicts a woman, likely intended to represent an ‘exotic’ other, in mid-performance with a snake. This card, like others in the series, invites us to consider how cultural practices are packaged and consumed. These images were circulated widely and played a role in shaping perceptions of different cultures, often reinforcing stereotypes. To understand the cultural significance of an image like this, it's essential to look into the visual language used, and the historical context in which it was made. Researching the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company and their marketing strategies, as well as studying the history of orientalism and the representation of non-Western cultures in popular media, can provide valuable insights. Ultimately, such artwork prompts us to critically examine the social forces that shape both the production and reception of art.