Steppes, from the Races of Mankind series (T181) issued by Abdul Cigarettes 1881

Abdul Cigarettes created this color lithograph titled "Steppes," part of the Races of Mankind series. The compact composition, framed by warm browns, presents a portrait with cool blues, reds, and yellows in the clothing and headwear. The effect is one of containment, but also subtle disruption. What is communicated through this series of signs? The subject's direct gaze challenges the viewer, while the decorative elements offset the portrait's seriousness. The artist uses the semiotic system of signs to convey ideas about race, identity, and representation. The formal structure of the portrait—its focus on ethnographic type—destabilizes any singular reading. Look closely at how the lithographic process renders texture, creating a tactile quality that invites scrutiny. This card, typical of its time, becomes a site of cultural dialogue, questioning fixed categories and revealing the complexities inherent in visual representation.