Artist's paint pallette, from the Novelties series (N228, Type 4) issued by Kinney Bros. 1889

This is a trade card, "Artist's Paint Palette," from the Novelties series, printed by Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company sometime between 1869 and 2011. The card shows a female figure, integrated into the form of a painter's palette. Note how the palette itself is delineated by a simple, curving line. The chromatic intensity of the dabs of paint are in stark contrast to the muted tones of the woman's face. The brushes, rendered with delicate precision, point downward toward her face, suggesting a directionality of artistic thought and production. This design exemplifies the structural complexity inherent in what might initially appear as a simple advertising token. By embedding the female portrait within the artistic tool, the card subtly intertwines the concepts of creation, femininity, and consumerism. Consider how the overall composition—the careful arrangement of elements—challenges the viewers to reconsider fixed categories. This card is not just an advertisement; it's a semiotic device prompting questions about the construction of value and identity in a rapidly changing world.