Chevalier E. Ginistrelli, from the Racing Colors of the World series (N22a) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1888

This is "Chevalier E. Ginistrelli", a chromolithograph from the "Racing Colors of the World" series by Allen & Ginter Cigarettes. The card presents a portrait of a jockey, composed with a delicate balance of color and form. The artist employs a palette of soft pastels, juxtaposing the jockey's blue and white racing silks against a muted green background. The composition is neatly divided: the upper half focuses on the jockey’s face and upper body, drawing us in with its fine details, while the lower half includes the brand’s name and product information. This division reflects a semiotic structure, where the jockey’s image signifies luxury and sophistication and the text, of course, promotes consumption. The lithographic technique lends a flat, almost graphic quality to the image, emphasizing the design over realism. Despite its commercial purpose, the card uses aesthetic appeal to imbue the product with a sense of elegance, highlighting how even promotional art can engage with broader cultural values and visual codes.