Monocle and Eye (blue), from Jocular Ocular series (N221) issued by Kinney Bros. 1889

Editor: So, here we have "Monocle and Eye (blue)," a print drawing from 1889 by Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company. It's an arresting image: just a single, large blue eye framed by a monocle. It feels… almost confrontational, in a weirdly detached way. What's your take? Curator: It's interesting you say confrontational. I see that too, but also, I immediately think about the history of surveillance. This was a time when ideas about observation, cataloging, and 'knowing' populations were becoming really powerful – think of the rise of scientific racism, and early biometric identification. Editor: Oh, wow, I hadn’t thought about that. The "all-seeing eye" idea, almost like a Panopticon in miniature? Curator: Precisely! And, consider this image was created for a tobacco company. It suggests a constant gaze directed at the consumer, subtly reminding them of the brand, shaping their desires and purchasing habits. Do you think there is something to the theory of commercial art of the 19th century becoming a means of shaping behaviour? Editor: Absolutely. It makes you wonder about the power dynamics at play – who is looking, who is being looked at, and for what purpose? It moves away from merely seeing and towards being *seen*. A little gem of social commentary in what appears, initially, just quirky branding. Curator: Exactly! The monocle, a symbol of wealth and status, further complicates this. The observer becomes a specific type of person. It reflects the hierarchies inherent in consumer culture and in society at large. This period marks a huge change in advertising becoming the all seeing-eye. Editor: I'll definitely be seeing advertisements differently now! Thanks. Curator: My pleasure! Let's continue to challenge perspectives and seek meaning beneath the surface.