William A. Rowe, Cyclist, from World's Champions, Series 2 (N29) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1888

This late nineteenth-century chromolithograph by Allen & Ginter captures cyclist William A. Rowe. Notice the composition which is divided into clear, distinct sections: the portrait dominates the foreground and a miniature vignette in the upper left corner depicts a cyclist atop a penny-farthing bicycle. The portrait itself is rendered with a pointillist technique, using small dots of color to create the illusion of depth and texture. The stippled effect softens the contours of Rowe's face and clothing, lending a certain romanticism to the depiction, while the lines and geometric shapes of the bicycle in the corner add a sense of modernity. The color palette is muted, with earthy tones of red and brown that construct Rowe's features and a blue-grey shade forming his athletic wear. The artist uses color to define shape and highlight form. The image’s function as a trade card suggests that the composition serves less as a profound artistic statement and more as a visually appealing collectible.