Roman Soldier, Infantry, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

Editor: This color lithograph from 1888, titled "Roman Soldier, Infantry," comes from a series of trading cards by the Kinney Tobacco Company. I am struck by its slightly cartoonish style. What’s your read on this image, especially given its creation as a commercial piece? Curator: It’s intriguing, isn't it? While seemingly a simple advertisement, it's packed with historical and cultural references. Consider the Roman soldier – a symbol of power, order, and civilization. Even in caricature, the leopard pelt worn on his head resonates deeply. Editor: The leopard pelt, yes! Why a leopard? Curator: The image calls up Bacchus, the Roman god of wine, theatre and ritual ecstasy, associated with leopards or panthers. Do you see it all over images of the era? No! The exotic pelt points not just to conquest, but perhaps to the intoxicating and somewhat barbaric lure of power itself. Consider too that it's used to sell cigarettes; is there a connection to the allure and possible deception associated with each? Editor: That’s fascinating. It feels like there is more to unpack than one might expect from what amounts to promotional material. It almost asks: is it really a representation of Roman ideals, or is it about power play dressed up in historical garb? Curator: Precisely! Commercial art can be a powerful carrier of cultural memory. In the repetition of symbolic imagery – soldier, leopard – archetypes are reborn, shaped anew by each passing generation. Even here, in this humble tobacco card, echoes of Roman ambition resonate. Editor: I’ll certainly look at advertisements differently now, considering their hidden cultural layers. Thank you. Curator: A pleasure. Remembering that what we see is always more than meets the eye enriches the experience of every encounter, even a small one.