Private, 2nd Regiment, Massachusetts, V.M., from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

This chromolithograph was made by Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company as an advertisement for Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. The symmetrical composition shows a soldier posed frontally against a neutral background. The soldier’s grey uniform is adorned with rows of shiny golden buttons and decorative epaulettes that catch the eye. The artist uses color and line to create a visual hierarchy, drawing our attention to the soldier’s face and uniform. The figure is meticulously detailed, rendered with smooth gradations that lend a sense of depth and volume. The symmetrical composition and repetitive use of shapes and colors evoke a sense of order, reflecting the discipline and uniformity associated with military life. The image creates meaning through its visual language. The clean lines, balanced composition, and controlled color palette create a sense of clarity and precision, conveying the values of the army and the ideals of the time. The artwork functions not just aesthetically but also as part of a larger cultural and philosophical discourse.