Irish Jig, from National Dances (N225, Type 1) issued by Kinney Bros. 1889

This small chromolithograph called 'Irish Jig' was produced by Kinney Bros. Tobacco Company, sometime around the late 19th century, as part of a series called 'National Dances.' The image presents a romanticized vision of Irish culture, packaged for mass consumption. Consider the context: this was a period of intense immigration from Ireland to the United States, driven by famine and poverty. Images like this, part of a series of national dances, served to exoticize and perhaps neutralize the reality of the immigrant experience. The jig, a lively folk dance, becomes a symbol, divorced from its complex social roots. The dancer's costume, while evocative, simplifies the diversity of Irish dress. Understanding this image requires delving into both the history of Irish immigration and the rise of mass media. Resources in archives, libraries, and databases, can reveal how such images shaped public perceptions and contributed to the construction of national identities.