Bavarian Infantry, Germany, 1886, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

Curator: At the Met, we have "Bavarian Infantry, Germany, 1886" from the Military Series of N224, produced by Kinney Tobacco in 1888 to advertise Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. It's a lithograph print. Editor: It’s surprisingly charming! There’s a softness in the shading that undercuts any sense of military severity, and the somewhat pastel palette adds a whimsical, almost cartoonish feel. Curator: It is striking how these were conceived as advertising. Cigarette cards offered a collectible incentive. Military themes, particularly romanticized versions of European armies, were fashionable and spoke to broader imperialistic ideals of the time. Editor: The composition is intriguing. The soldier is centrally placed, rigidly posed, with the rifle mirroring his verticality. But the concentric golden semi-circles disrupt that strict formality—like a halo almost. Curator: The cards reflect the rising tide of nationalism across Europe and beyond. Displaying the ‘glory’ of these nations' forces was excellent marketing for Kinney. This romanticism obscured the grim realities of military life. Editor: What I find remarkable is the simplification of form. It’s graphic, certainly, yet there’s a considered reduction to essential shapes and textures that creates a clear, immediately readable image, perfect for a small card. Curator: Absolutely, this piece represents the cultural landscape where military prowess was elevated and used for mass consumption through commercial channels like tobacco companies. Editor: Indeed, examining it reminds us that even the seemingly innocent images of popular culture can embody loaded concepts. The formal elements highlight these cultural messages rather than simply relaying information.