Sapper, France, 1853, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

This is ‘Sapper, France, 1853’, a promotional lithograph created by Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company as part of their Military Series. The composition is dominated by the figure of a French sapper, a military engineer, presented in full uniform against a muted backdrop. Note how the artist employs a vertical format, emphasizing the height and imposing presence of the figure. The colour palette, though restrained, uses strong contrasts; the white of the apron sharply opposes the deep blues and reds of the uniform, drawing our attention to the dual role of the sapper – both soldier and builder. The texture, though rendered through lithography, suggests the roughness of the sapper’s tools and the fabric of his uniform, grounding the figure in a tangible reality. What does it mean to use a military figure to sell cigarettes? Perhaps it is to engage with notions of power, duty, and masculinity. Consider how this small, mass-produced image functions within a larger cultural discourse, blurring the lines between art, commerce, and national identity.