Henry Havelock, from the Great Generals series (N15) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1888

This is Henry Havelock from the Great Generals series, a lithograph made for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes, which captures a slice of the British Empire's self-fashioned glory. These cards, distributed with cigarette packs, were designed to cultivate a sense of national pride. Havelock, a British general, is depicted here as a symbol of military might and colonial power. Yet, if we look closely, we must ask: At what cost did this power come? Havelock's campaigns in India involved brutal suppression of local populations, which underscores the violence inherent in empire-building. The card presents a romanticized view, omitting the complex realities of colonialism. It invites us to reflect on how images are used to construct and perpetuate dominant narratives, and how those narratives often mask histories of exploitation and resistance. Whose stories are told, and whose are left out? It's a potent reminder of the power of representation and the importance of critical engagement with historical narratives.