John Yellow Flower, Ute, from the American Indian Chiefs series (N36) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1888

This chromolithograph of John Yellow Flower, a Ute chief, was produced by Allen & Ginter for their series of cigarette cards. These cards, popular in the late 19th century, offer a window into the social and cultural landscape of the time. Produced in a period of westward expansion and conflict with Native American tribes, the image operates within a complex network of power dynamics. John Yellow Flower is depicted with dignity, yet the card format, used to sell cigarettes, reduces his identity to a commercial commodity. It reflects a broader cultural trend of romanticizing Native Americans while simultaneously dispossessing them of their land and rights. To fully understand this image, we would need to research the history of the Ute tribe, the role of advertising in shaping public perceptions, and the complex relationship between Native Americans and the dominant culture. The meaning of art is always contingent on its social context.