Jessamine (Jasminum Officinale), from the Flowers series for Old Judge Cigarettes 1890

Editor: This is "Jessamine (Jasminum Officinale)" from the Flowers series for Old Judge Cigarettes, made around 1890 by Goodwin & Company. It’s a print featuring watercolor and drawing, housed at The Met. It’s small and quite charming. I’m curious about its stylized composition and use of color. What do you make of this piece? Curator: Oh, this little blossom of a trade card transports me! It’s more than just a pretty picture; it’s a whisper from the past. Note how Goodwin & Company was channeling Japonisme, a love affair with Japanese art that swept the West. See the flattened perspective, the elegant asymmetry? It's like a haiku for the eyes, a fleeting moment captured. Editor: Yes, I see the influence! So, these were essentially ads? That seems a bit… elevated for cigarette packaging. Curator: Indeed! Imagine slipping this miniature artwork out of your cigarette pack. It speaks volumes about the aspirations of the time, blurring the lines between commerce and culture. Do you feel a hint of that perfumed elegance in its design, that slightly bittersweet fragrance of fleeting beauty? Editor: I do, now that you mention it. It’s much more than just an advertisement; it's a tiny glimpse into a world enamored with beauty. The watercolor is so delicate! Curator: Exactly! And consider its role. These weren't meant to last, yet here we are, generations later, still pondering its charm. It's a poignant reminder that beauty can be found in the most unexpected corners. Editor: So true! I never would have guessed how much was packed into such a small image. Curator: And isn’t that the delight of art? Always more than meets the eye…or nose!