Goorkha, from the Types of All Nations series (N24) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1889

This striking image of a ‘Goorkha’ is part of the “Types of All Nations” series created for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes. The composition is immediately striking, compressing a vivid portrait into a small rectangle. Consider how the artist uses color and detail to construct identity. The subject's elaborate headdress and necklace, rendered with meticulous detail, contrast with the serene expression, framed by the warm tones of skin and gold. The image functions as a sign, encoding cultural meanings and colonial power dynamics. This tension creates a complex interplay between exoticism and the reduction of identity to a consumable image. It invites us to reflect on the history embedded in this small card.