John Evans, Careening, from the Pirates of the Spanish Main series (N19) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1886 - 1891

Editor: So, this watercolor and print piece, "John Evans, Careening, from the Pirates of the Spanish Main series," comes from between 1886 and 1891 and was made by Allen & Ginter for their cigarette cards. The pinks and blues give it a strange softness, juxtaposed with the tough subject. What historical narratives do you see in this image? Curator: These cards, distributed with cigarettes, played a key role in shaping popular perceptions of historical figures. Allen & Ginter were masters of manufacturing desires. How did this image of a pirate reinforce or challenge the social norms of the late 19th century, especially when displayed in everyday domestic settings? Editor: I suppose they are glamorizing a villain in some ways? Did the accessibility of these cards affect their reception? Curator: Absolutely. Consider the scale. Pocket-sized art, mass-produced and readily available. Its inherent ephemerality suggests it was never intended for serious contemplation. Yet its distribution amplified certain narratives, reaching diverse audiences, perhaps, legitimizing empire, masculinity, and narratives of adventure. Did the inclusion of "pirates" in cigarette card sets shape moral standards for future consumers? Editor: I hadn’t thought of that. I initially viewed this as just a quaint piece of ephemera. Curator: The political work is so subtly embedded within that apparent quaintness. Reflecting on our conversation, seeing art in everyday spaces reminds us how visual culture shapes what we come to believe about the world, regardless of intentions. Editor: This definitely offers me a broader understanding, a shift in considering commercial images as potent conveyers of social ideas, shaping perceptions well beyond the aesthetic realm.