Plate 37, from the Fans of the Period series (N7) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1889

This small chromolithograph was produced by Allen & Ginter, a cigarette manufacturer in Richmond, Virginia, as part of a series of collectible cards. The printing process itself is key to understanding the image's purpose. Chromolithography allowed for mass production of colorful images, using a series of lithographic stones, each applying a different color. This method democratized image-making, bringing colorful illustrations to a wider audience. These cards were designed to be collected and traded, fueling a craze for collecting and the consumption of the cigarettes themselves. The image of a fashionable woman with a fan speaks to the aspirational desires of consumers, associating the product with elegance and status. But, more importantly, this card represents a convergence of industry, art, and consumerism. It challenges our conventional definitions of art by highlighting how it is deeply embedded in social and economic forces.