Golubez Dove Dance, from National Dances (N225, Type 1) issued by Kinney Bros. 1889

This small lithograph of a Golubez Dove Dance, part of a series on national dances, was printed by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company. This card, made by chromolithography, involved using multiple stones or plates, one for each color, to create a vibrant image. The process allowed mass production, embedding images of global cultures in everyday life as promotional material. Its smooth surface belies the intricate work involved in its making. The image features a dancer in traditional garb holding a dove, rendered with precision. The act of printing these images was itself a cultural exchange, translating dances into a portable, collectable form. The card exemplifies the complex relationship between art, commerce, and cultural representation. It challenges us to look beyond the surface, acknowledging the labor, processes, and cultural negotiations involved in its production. This commercial art invites us to reconsider the lines between fine art, craft, and the everyday objects that shape our perceptions.