Ceylon, from the Natives in Costume series (N16), Teofani Issue, for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1886 - 1900

This chromolithograph, printed by Allen & Ginter for their cigarette packs, represents a man from Ceylon, now Sri Lanka. It’s one of a series showing "natives" from around the world. These cards were made through a laborious process, using multiple stones to apply different colors. Look closely, and you can see how the overlaid inks create a vibrant image, far beyond a simple print. The clothing worn by the figure offers an intriguing contrast. The textile patterns suggest skilled craft traditions, yet they’re presented here as a collectible item, a gift inside a mass-produced product. These cards were immensely popular. They speak to a moment of burgeoning global trade, and to the way that consumer culture can commodify even the most culturally rich practices. It is important to recognize that "Ceylon" came to consumers as an exotic commodity, alongside the tobacco that paid for it. Cigarette cards like this challenge our understanding of fine art, and invite us to consider the cultural work performed by all kinds of images.