Plantain, from the Fruits series (N12) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1891

"Plantain" is a chromolithograph card from the "Fruits" series produced by Allen & Ginter in 1891 for their brand of cigarettes. The card features a young girl sitting in front of a banana plant, holding a plantain in her hands. The image is a prime example of the “trade card” genre popular in the late 19th century which used images of people and nature to promote products. The card is a colorful example of this style of artwork and features a romanticized depiction of agriculture. “Plantain” is currently on view at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.