Order of the Bath, Great Britain, from the World's Decorations series (N44) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1890

This is a lithograph of the Order of the Bath, Great Britain, made by Allen & Ginter for their World's Decorations series of cigarette cards. These cards, produced in the late 19th century, offer insight into the era’s social and cultural values. The Order of the Bath itself represents a rigid hierarchy and the complex relationship between Britain and its empire. It was an order of chivalry rewarding military or civil service. Note how the imagery creates meaning through visual codes, referencing power, duty, and national pride. To fully understand this image, we can research British history, the structure of its class system, and the role of the monarchy and military in shaping national identity. We can also look into the history of collecting and the commercialization of culture in the late 19th century. This kind of research reveals that the meaning of art is contingent on its social and institutional context.