Robert Edward Lee, from the Great Generals series (N15) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1888

This small chromolithograph of Robert Edward Lee was created by Allen & Ginter as part of their Great Generals series for cigarette brands. The image is composed of a portrait of Lee in the foreground, superimposed over a background scene of soldiers and horses. Notice the striking contrast between the detailed rendering of Lee’s face and the more abstract depiction of the battle scene behind him. The use of color, with the reddish-brown backdrop and the gray of Lee's uniform, creates a somber, almost melancholic mood. The composition is divided into distinct layers. Lee is isolated in the foreground, which signifies the figure's historical importance. The card's small scale is an interesting element. It transforms the grand narratives of war and leadership into a collectible item, fitting into a larger cultural framework of commercialism and valorization of historical figures. The very act of mass-producing and distributing this image as part of a commercial product raises questions about how historical memory is constructed and consumed. This is less a straightforward depiction of history and more a complex interplay of commerce, memory, and representation.