Officer of Dragoons, Austria, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

This chromolithograph was produced by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company as a promotional insert for Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. The central figure, an Austrian dragoon officer, is rendered with a striking attention to detail. The chromatic scale, dominated by the red backdrop, contrasts sharply with the officer's blue uniform, drawing the eye immediately to his poised salute. The composition is rigidly structured, dividing the space into distinct colour fields, challenging traditional perspective. Note the gold bordering that frames the image, mimicking the officer's gold detailing, suggesting luxury and high status. The use of colour and line isn't merely decorative; it's strategic, creating a semiotic system where each element—uniform, weapon, salute—functions as a signifier of power, class, and national identity. This card, then, is not just an advertisement but a condensed representation of cultural values.