Donna, from the Ballet Queens series (N182) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. 1889

Donna, from the Ballet Queens series, was made by the Wm. S. Kimball & Co., using chromolithography. The firm mass-produced these small cards as promotional items included in their tobacco products. The chromolithographic process allowed for the creation of colorful and detailed images at a fraction of the cost and time compared to traditional hand-painted illustrations. This was achieved by using multiple limestone printing plates, each inked with a different color, and then layered precisely onto paper. The choice of chromolithography highlights the intersection of art, industry, and commerce in the late 19th century. It democratized image production, making art accessible to a wider audience. However, it also reflects the labor and social dynamics of the time. The skilled workers who operated the lithographic presses were often part of a growing urban working class, subject to the demands of factory production. The image itself, a ballet dancer, also speaks to the commodification of entertainment and leisure in an era of increasing consumerism. Ultimately, this card encapsulates the complex relationship between art, labor, and consumption in the age of industrial capitalism.