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

This chromolithograph of a German Dragoon dates from 1886 and was produced by the Kinney Tobacco Company as an advertisement for Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. At first glance, this seems like a simple portrait of a soldier, but consider the social conditions that shape artistic production. Here we have an image of German military might being used to sell tobacco products in the United States. In an era of rising nationalism, the image of a soldier would have evoked ideas of strength and patriotism, and Kinney Tobacco Company sought to capitalize on this association. It also tells us about the rise of consumer culture and the increasing sophistication of advertising techniques. By examining period newspapers, advertisements, and military archives, we can gain a deeper understanding of the cultural meanings embedded in this seemingly simple image. Ultimately, it is the historian's role to uncover these hidden layers and reveal the complex interplay between art, commerce, and society.