Begonia: Originality, from the series Floral Beauties and Language of Flowers (N75) for Duke brand cigarettes 1892

This chromolithograph, "Begonia: Originality," was made by the American Tobacco Company as part of a series of collectible cards included in Duke brand cigarettes. The printing process itself is key to understanding its purpose. Chromolithography allowed for the mass production of colorful images. Multiple limestone blocks were used, each inked with a different color, to create a layered effect. Look closely, and you'll see the slightly misregistered layers, which give the image a soft, textured feel. This made it possible to reproduce images quickly and cheaply, and massively distribute them. The subject matter is not a coincidence: flowers were often associated with femininity and beauty, and their inclusion in cigarette packs was a marketing strategy to appeal to a broader audience. Cigarettes at the time were a novelty item, heavily marketed to the masses, and this card’s function was not primarily aesthetic, but commercial. It blurs the lines between art, advertising, and consumer culture.