History of Christine Nilsson, from the Histories of Poor Boys and Famous People series of booklets (N79) for Duke brand cigarettes 1888

This chromolithograph, created by W. Duke, Sons & Co. in 1888, depicts Swedish opera singer Christine Nilsson. Part of the "Histories of Poor Boys and Famous People" series of booklets produced by Duke brand cigarettes, this small, collectible piece utilizes a bright color palette and detailed rendering to highlight the subject's beauty. The artwork is considered ephemera, a category of collectible items associated with a particular event or period. The image is characteristic of the late 19th century, a time when cigarette cards and other forms of printed ephemera were used for advertising and promoting brands. The use of chromolithography, a process for printing multiple colors, adds to the artistic appeal of the piece.