Card 21, Limenitis Disippus, from the Butterflies series (N183) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. 1888

Card 21, Limenitis Disippus, from the Butterflies series, was issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. in the late nineteenth century. At first glance, this small chromolithograph seems to be merely a celebration of nature. However, we must acknowledge the complex social and economic context from which it emerged. Produced during the rise of industrial capitalism in the United States, the card served as a promotional item for Kimball’s goods. Its combination of a woman with insect wings reflects Victorian society’s ambiguous attitudes towards both women and nature. While seemingly celebrating their beauty, the image also reduces them to objects of consumption. The image itself creates meaning through visual codes, cultural references, and historical associations. Kimball and other companies used images such as this one to appeal to consumers, shape popular tastes, and promote their brands in a rapidly changing society. To truly understand the social conditions surrounding its creation, one can research corporate archives, advertising history, and cultural studies of the Victorian era.