Fred Dunlap, Captain, Pittsburgh, from the Goodwin Champion series for Old Judge and Gypsy Queen Cigarettes 1888

Editor: Here we have a portrait from 1888, "Fred Dunlap, Captain, Pittsburgh, from the Goodwin Champion series for Old Judge and Gypsy Queen Cigarettes," a print drawing from Goodwin & Company. I find the image striking in its simplicity, almost like a baseball card. What do you make of this piece? Curator: The lithograph offers a study in planes and line. Observe how the subject's face is constructed through distinct, almost geometric, shapes. The mustache, for instance, is rendered as a bold, dark horizontal interruption, a rigid counterpoint to the softer modeling of the cheekbones. Notice how line defines his jaw and contrasts with the planes on his forehead. What effect does the color palette, predominantly muted tones, create for you? Editor: It gives it a kind of nostalgic, vintage feel, a step away from, say, Impressionism despite it being flagged with it. It feels more contained, especially since its main purpose seems to be an advertisement. Curator: Precisely. There is an economy of means at work. Note the flatness, a hallmark influenced by the Ukiyo-e style. The artist is interested less in depth or dramatic shading than in clarity of form and outline. How do you think this flatness impacts the viewer's perception? Editor: It makes the subject seem almost…iconic. It reduces him to essential characteristics, making him immediately recognizable, even if you don't know him. I now wonder if it also makes this easily replicable for the mass consumption inherent in the cigarette branding. Curator: Exactly. This focus on shape and the stark contrast amplify the essence of the image, and the commercial functionality and branding within which this drawing would circulate. A compelling intersection of aesthetics and utility, wouldn’t you agree? Editor: Absolutely. Thinking about it in terms of shape and line and how it serves its purpose really shifts how I look at this piece!