Staff Officer, Spain, 1853, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

This chromolithograph of a Spanish staff officer from 1853 comes from a series issued by the Kinney Tobacco Company. These cards, included in packs of Sweet Caporal Cigarettes, reflect the 19th-century’s fascination with military prowess and exotic locales. Consider the dual function of this image: It romanticizes military authority while simultaneously marketing a product. The officer, with his ornate uniform, stands as a symbol of Spanish power, but his image is also a commodity, consumed alongside tobacco. The date, 1853, places the officer in a specific historical context, the reign of Isabella II, marked by political instability and colonial tensions. What does it mean to consume an image of power? How does this blend of commerce and cultural representation shape our understanding of history and identity? The emotional resonance of such images lies in their ability to evoke a sense of both admiration and perhaps, a critical awareness of the forces at play.