General, White Cuirassiers, Germany, 1886, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

This chromolithograph, "General, White Cuirassiers, Germany, 1886," was produced by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company as part of a series promoting Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. The General, the focal point, is rendered with precision. The white uniform, contrasted with the dark boots, creates a striking visual dichotomy, while the orange sash and golden helmet introduce warmer tones. Notice how the flatness of the colors and sharp outlines contribute to an almost iconic representation of military authority. The print operates within the visual codes of its time, using the General’s uniform and accoutrements to signify status and power. However, the commercial context complicates this reading, as the image simultaneously functions as an advertisement. The flattening of perspective and emphasis on surface design point towards modern aesthetic sensibilities that would soon challenge traditional modes of representation. This tension between representation and commerce invites us to reflect on how the mechanics of promotion can imbue an image with cultural significance.