Drum Major, Austria, 1886, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

This small lithograph, Drum Major, Austria, 1886, was produced by Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company as part of a series promoting Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. At first glance, the figure strikes a pose of formalized authority. Note how the composition divides the figure neatly into sections, each defined by color and texture. The gold epaulets, buttons and trim juxtapose with the off white of the jacket and the blue of the trousers, all sharply delineating the status and role of the drum major. Consider this image within the context of structuralism and semiotics. Every element functions as a signifier. The uniform signifies discipline and order, the baton symbolizes leadership, and the overall presentation embodies the cultural codes of military authority. The formal arrangement isn't merely decorative; it communicates a system of values tied to power and representation. As you contemplate this small piece, consider how it challenges or reinforces the fixed meanings associated with military imagery.