Bodyguard, from the Occupations for Women series (N166) for Old Judge and Dogs Head Cigarettes 1887

Editor: So, here we have "Bodyguard," from the "Occupations for Women" series, dated 1887, by Goodwin & Company. It seems to be a colored-pencil drawing that's also been printed. It's got a somewhat satirical tone, like a playful caricature. What jumps out at you when you see it? Curator: The most compelling element for me lies in its context as a cigarette card. Consider the materiality: a small, mass-produced object, distributed as a marketing tool. This image, alongside others in the series, actively participates in the construction of gender roles, depicting "occupations for women" in a visually engaging way for consumption. It begs the question of labor, both of the depicted bodyguard and of the unseen laborers who created the cards themselves. Editor: That's interesting! So, you're less focused on the artistry and more on the production of the image itself? Curator: Precisely! The artistic merit is secondary to its function within the late 19th-century commodity culture. The choice of colored pencil for the original drawing and then the subsequent printing process allowed for affordable, widespread dissemination. How does this materiality inform our understanding of its message? Do the vibrant colors belie a deeper social commentary? Editor: I guess it makes me wonder about who they thought was buying these cigarettes and seeing this image. Were they trying to sell an ideal, or just making a joke? Curator: That's key. It challenges our preconceived notions of high art, forcing us to examine how meaning is generated not just through representation, but through production, circulation, and consumption. Editor: It definitely makes you look at it in a new light, seeing it as a piece of advertising history instead of just a drawing. I appreciate your insight! Curator: And I'm grateful for your questions that help reveal the many dimensions of such a deceptively simple image!