Lieutenant, Old Guard, National Guard of the State of New York, 1887, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

This is a chromolithograph, "Lieutenant, Old Guard, National Guard of the State of New York, 1887," from the Military Series by Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company. The composition is strikingly formal. A full-length portrait is set against a neutral background, a small rectangle printed with text on the bottom. Notice the verticality established by the figure, reinforced by the tall, cylindrical hat. This is juxtaposed with horizontal lines formed by the shoulders, belt, and subtle ground. The colour scheme is restrained, dominated by a muted palette of white, blue, and gold, reflecting the formal conventions of military portraiture, and the uniform. Semiotically, the uniform acts as a sign, communicating ideas of authority, discipline, and national pride. Yet, the card, issued by a tobacco company, introduces an element of commercial promotion into the image, blurring the lines between civic duty and consumer culture. The overall effect is to transform the figure into a commodity, a collectible item associated with the consumption of 'Sweet Caporal' cigarettes. This interplay of visual and cultural codes invites us to consider the complex ways in which art can both reflect and shape social values.