Knight, France, End of 12th Century, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

This small chromolithograph was made by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company as a promotional item for Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. The image depicts a French knight from the late 12th century. Consider the social context of this image: it was made at a time when there was growing interest in Medieval Europe, fuelled by Romanticism and nascent forms of nationalism. These inexpensive cards were collected by ordinary people and reflect a fascination with the history of warfare. The visual codes include the knight’s armor, weaponry, and heraldic symbols. The artist aimed to convey the image of a noble warrior. Institutional histories played a role here, too. Museums and art schools shaped the public's understanding of history through exhibitions and academic studies. Such sources can help us better understand the meaning of art as something that is contingent on social and institutional context.