Governor Rusk, Wisconsin, from "Governors, Arms, Etc." series (N133-1), issued by Duke Sons & Co. 1885 - 1892

This late 19th-century lithograph of Wisconsin Governor Rusk was produced by W. Duke and Sons as a promotional card for their "Honest Long Cut" tobacco product. The commercial imagery combines a portrait of the governor with symbols of Wisconsin’s identity and economy. To the left, we see the state's coat of arms, referencing agriculture and maritime trade. Below it, a lead mine alludes to the state's industrial base. On the right is the North Point Lighthouse, a weather beacon, and a signal of colder temperatures. The imagery constructs a vision of Wisconsin as a place of industry, trade, and natural resources, all overseen by the paternal figure of Governor Rusk. Such images offer insight into the cultural values and economic priorities of the period. By researching the history of advertising, state symbols, and regional industries, we can better understand the social forces that shaped this image. Ultimately, the meaning of art lies in its relationship to the society that produces and consumes it.