Queen of Portugal, from World's Sovereigns series (N34) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1889

This is a lithograph trading card of the Queen of Portugal, produced by Allen & Ginter Cigarettes. The ornate frame and details suggest the aesthetic conventions of commercial portraiture. Notice how the composition uses a symmetry typical of royal portraiture: the figure is presented frontally, and the central axis runs through the crown, face, and clothing. This symmetry lends the portrait a sense of stability and authority, reinforcing the Queen's position. However, this visual structure isn't simply representational; it also communicates cultural values linked to royalty and power. The use of gold color, seen in the crown and embellishments, acts as a signifier of wealth and status. The card destabilizes traditional hierarchies by placing a royal figure within the context of a commercial product. By including the Queen in a set of collectible cards, Allen & Ginter effectively democratized her image, making it accessible to a wider audience. The card functions not just as a portrait but as a commodity, blurring the lines between royalty, representation, and consumer culture.