Gendarme, from the Occupations of Women series (N502) for Frishmuth's Tobacco Company 1889

This small lithograph, “Gendarme,” was created for Frishmuth’s Tobacco Company as part of a series called "Occupations of Women." Lithography is a printmaking process using a flat stone or metal plate. The image is drawn on the surface with a greasy substance, then treated with acid to make the drawing receptive to ink and the blank areas resistant. This allowed for mass production, and it's fascinating to consider the number of these little cards that would have been churned out, each an advertisement for tobacco. The relatively low cost of the process meant that these could be widely distributed, increasing the brand's visibility. The image itself is a commentary on the changing roles of women, perhaps even a playful one. It would have been hugely popular, and speaks volumes about the social and economic forces at play during the late 19th century. It serves as a reminder of the close relationship between art, industry, and the everyday lives of people during this time.