Caricatured Figure (Fiddler) from Girls and Children series (N64) promoting Virginia Brights Cigarettes for Allen & Ginter brand tobacco products 1886

This 1886 trade card from Allen & Ginter depicts a caricatured figure of a Black fiddler, likely intended to be racially stereotypical. Part of the "Girls and Children" series promoting Virginia Brights cigarettes, the card showcases the brand's name in bold lettering, making it clear that this artwork was commissioned for commercial purposes. The figure, dressed in a feathered headdress and fringed clothing, plays a violin with exaggerated movements, contributing to the overall comedic and somewhat offensive tone of the piece. The card, now housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, serves as a historical artifact reflecting the social attitudes and marketing practices of the late 19th century.