General Robert E. Lee, from Leaders series (N222) issued by Kinney Bros. 1888

This is a chromolithograph of General Robert E. Lee, produced by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company as part of their "Leaders" series. The print is split into two registers: the top half depicts a profile of Lee’s head and shoulders, and the bottom shows Lee on horseback, leading his troops through battle. The composition employs a subtle interplay of color and form. Note how the warm tones of Lee’s face and the horses contrast with the cooler grays and greens of the uniforms and background. This juxtaposition creates a visual hierarchy, emphasizing Lee's figure as the focal point. The lithographic technique, with its fine lines and shading, lends a sense of depth and realism to the image, yet the idealized portrayal smooths over the complexities of his legacy, presenting a heroic and unblemished vision. The use of linear perspective in the lower register draws the eye towards the horizon, inviting the viewer into the scene, but also perhaps suggesting the vast and complex history the image invokes. Ultimately, the work’s visual structure serves to both commemorate and carefully construct a particular image of leadership.