Andrzej Tadeusz Bonawentura Kosciuszko, from the Great Generals series (N15) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1888

This small chromolithograph of Andrzej Tadeusz Bonawentura Kosciuszko, made by Allen & Ginter, was one of a series of cards inserted into cigarette packs. It was a commercial, mass-produced object, far removed from traditional art materials like oil paint or bronze. The process of chromolithography allowed for the creation of colorful images quickly and cheaply. The card is made of paper, chosen for its ability to hold the ink. It is also lightweight and easily foldable, suiting its purpose as a promotional item. This reflects the rise of consumer culture and mass production, where images were readily available and disposable. The portrait itself, though small, is carefully rendered. Kosciuszko's likeness is captured with a sense of dignity and heroism. The backdrop of battle reinforces this image, but the primary purpose of this aesthetic choice was marketing. These cigarette cards were collected and traded, creating a visual culture interwoven with commerce. Ultimately, this object reminds us that art is not separate from the processes that create and distribute it, and that a cigarette card can be just as revealing about a society as a painting in a museum.