American Indian, Arapahoe Squaw, from Types of Nationalities (N240) issued by Kinney Bros. 1890

This small chromolithograph, printed by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company, features an ‘American Indian, Arapahoe Squaw.’ Notice how the composition centres on the woman's face and upper body, framed by muted tones and a backdrop with a very light blue. The palette is limited, with the artist using primary colors to highlight key features. The woman’s skin has pink hues, making her cheeks stand out and creating an effect of vitality and health. This image, as a trade card, was not created as a piece of art but as a collectible item intended to promote a product. The image flattens the depiction of the woman and her culture into a type or sign, to signify the exotic other. Ultimately, this small card reflects broader issues of representation and cultural commodification. It reminds us that images, regardless of size or original intention, can be powerful carriers of ideology.