Etruria Steamship, Cunard Line, from the Ocean and River Steamers series (N83) for Duke brand cigarettes 1887

Editor: Here we have an image entitled "Etruria Steamship, Cunard Line," a print made in 1887 for Duke brand cigarettes. It's a charming little watercolor, and I’m struck by its odd composition with a woman above a ship, almost like a figurehead. What stands out to you? Curator: The most interesting aspect, from my perspective, lies in its production. Consider this was a giveaway item for cigarettes, essentially advertising ephemera. This challenges our notion of art’s supposed exclusivity. What materials were readily available and cheap enough to mass-produce this kind of elaborate design? The artist’s labor, often uncredited in such commercial works, is also a factor to consider. Editor: So, you're focusing on how it was made, and how that affected the end product? Curator: Precisely! It highlights the artist as a craftsman, even as their work blurs the lines between fine art and popular culture. This steamship symbolizes global trade and travel, enabled by mass manufacturing, reflected right back in the means of making this advertisement. Consider the paper itself, the inks, the printing processes involved in distributing it across vast distances for profit. Editor: It's amazing how a small piece of promotional material can speak to much larger themes. So the consumption of both the artwork and the cigarettes ties into ideas of industrial progress at the time? Curator: Exactly! The accessibility and disposability were intrinsic to the artwork’s function. The materials and the labor invested underscore the social and economic landscape of its time. Editor: I never would have thought about it that way. This has really opened my eyes. Curator: Indeed. It's a reminder that art isn't just about beauty, but also about labor, materials, and consumption.