Guitar, from the Musical Instruments series (N82) for Duke brand cigarettes 1888

This small lithograph, made by W. Duke, Sons & Co. around the turn of the 20th century, presents a woman holding a guitar. The piece is dominated by a pastel color scheme with red accents, giving it a light, almost dreamlike quality. The composition is straightforward: the woman is centered, and the guitar forms a visual bridge connecting her torso with the lower part of the frame. The arrangement of elements may seem conventional, yet it hints at an intriguing interplay between representation and consumer culture. As an advertisement, the image operates within a network of signs. The guitar, the woman, her clothing, and her jewelry all denote certain cultural values, such as refinement and luxury. The use of soft colors and smooth textures normalizes the product being advertised within the cultural codes of femininity, artistry, and status. The image engages with the viewer by promising an association between the act of smoking and refined cultural experiences. It is an open question whether the harmony of the lithograph can reveal the structures that underpinned this early form of marketing.