Ladies and Gentlemen..., from the Magic Changing Cards series (N223) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company 1889

Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company created this lithograph titled "Ladies and Gentlemen..." sometime in the late nineteenth century. The composition centers on a performer, rendered in delicate lines and subtle shading, poised mid-act on a stage. The sepia tones evoke a nostalgic atmosphere, reminiscent of old theater bills and magic shows. Notice how the artist uses linear perspective to construct the stage. The receding lines draw our eye, creating an illusion of depth within the card’s small dimensions. This technique not only frames the performer but also enhances the theatrical space, emphasizing the spectacle of the performance. The text at the bottom invites us to engage with the image in an interactive way, to alter the artwork and become active participants in the creation of illusion. In essence, the piece is a commentary on the changing nature of perception. It reminds us that what we see is always a construction, subject to manipulation.