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

This chromolithograph of a Prussian Uhlan from 1886 was produced by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company as a promotional item. The Prussian Uhlan is presented with striking formality, standing rigidly to attention in his elaborate uniform. The artist uses a limited palette with dark blues and blacks contrasted against vibrant reds and golds, colors that articulate the precise details of the uniform. The composition is dominated by the verticality of the figure and his lance. This linear emphasis reinforces a sense of order and discipline, crucial for the military image it conveys. The small dimensions of the card amplify the detail and precision of the print, typical for advertising ephemera of the time. The card functions as both a commercial tool and a cultural artifact, reflecting the values of militarism and nationalism prevalent in late 19th-century Germany. The formal elements work together to project an image of strength and authority. It invites us to consider how visual culture participates in shaping and reinforcing societal ideals.