Forage Cap, Infantry, United States, from the Military Uniforms series (T182) issued by Abdul Cigarettes 1881

Editor: This small print from 1881, titled "Forage Cap, Infantry, United States," by Abdul Cigarettes, showcases a Union soldier. The uniform's rendering feels stiff, almost like a doll. What do you see in this piece? Curator: The serialization of military uniforms in commercial prints reduces the individual to a symbol, a component of a larger, idealized whole. Note how the colour palette is constrained, dominated by blues, creams, and reds that flatten the image. Consider also the precise, linear quality of the printmaking, which disallows any expressive freedom. Editor: I see what you mean. It’s less about the individual soldier and more about presenting the uniform as an object, right? It reminds me of a fashion plate, almost. Is the abstraction intentional? Curator: Indeed. The print operates on a system of representation where the uniform signifies “Infantry, United States” rather than embodying lived experience. Notice, too, the use of the underpainting which enhances the formal aesthetic through varied applications to colour and texture. This, as distinct from experience, becomes its primary subject. Editor: So the focus is not on realism but on communicating an idea of military identity through formalized elements. Curator: Precisely. By decoding the stylistic decisions, one might further analyze its conceptual stance— the transformation of the military body into a standardized image for mass consumption and even an aspiration. Editor: Interesting, I never would have looked at a cigarette card that way. Thank you! Curator: My pleasure, such close observation gives the aesthetic space and structural devices in the work more interpretive space for further exploration.