Scotland, from the Races of Mankind series (T181) issued by Abdul Cigarettes 1881

Editor: So, here we have "Scotland, from the Races of Mankind series" created around 1881, by Abdul Cigarettes. It's a drawing and print, currently housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I find it captivating – it has a real historical feel to it. What visual symbols stand out to you in this portrait? Curator: Well, first, consider the context – this is from a series meant to represent different peoples of the world. The figure's clothing screams 'Scotland': the tam o'shanter, the glimpse of tartan. These aren't just fabrics; they're visual shorthand for cultural identity, loaded with centuries of history and meaning. The rosy cheeks and softened features, though, also signify something. Editor: Do you mean, maybe, how the image is "selling" Scotland as a place? Curator: Precisely! How is Scotland being marketed here, and for what potential audiences in 1881? Think about how these symbols would resonate, or perhaps even be misunderstood, by someone who'd never set foot in Scotland. The artist uses very specific semiotics, like tartan's historical weight, to project a certain idea of the culture. How do you feel that idea holds up today? Editor: That’s really interesting. It almost feels…staged, like a romanticized version of a place and people, carefully constructed for outsiders. Thanks for helping me see the deeper layers! Curator: And thank you! Exploring how artists create and manipulate these lasting images, perpetuating cultural memory – that's the heart of iconographic inquiry.