Crosby S. Noyes, The Washington Evening Star, from the American Editors series (N1) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1887

Curator: Here we see "Crosby S. Noyes, The Washington Evening Star," a print dating back to 1887. It's from the American Editors series by Allen & Ginter Cigarettes. What strikes you upon viewing this work? Editor: Initially, it's the size—or rather, my assumption of its size. I imagine it's quite small, likely a miniature, which creates an intimate viewing experience. The chromatic restraint—earth tones accented with pink—further focuses attention on the portrait's meticulous details. Curator: Indeed. This would have been part of a set included in cigarette packs. Noyes, the subject, isn't just a man; he embodies an era of print journalism. Consider the backdrop, an illustration of The Evening Star itself, subtly situating him within the news landscape of Washington, D.C. Editor: I appreciate how that backdrop flattens into a decorative element. It almost abstracts, shifting between being a realistic portrayal and simply patterning the space. It reinforces a sophisticated, semiotic layering between figure and ground. Curator: Absolutely. There is a power dynamic presented as well: the illustrated newsprint supports Noyes' image, solidifying his role. It reflects how media shapes and memorializes individuals. Noyes' confident gaze suggests his own awareness of his position. His eyes and newspaper lock eyes to establish cultural continuity through visual means. Editor: You perceive "confident," but I see more reserve in his eyes. It seems reflective—he looks not quite past you, but toward an ungraspable future. His beard further cloaks the intensity of that searching look, perhaps representing his position as editor. Curator: Or possibly also the social values and beliefs he championed. These cards, beyond advertising, became time capsules of aspiration, subtly weaving narratives of achievement. Editor: It's fascinating how something so small becomes such a carrier of symbols, beliefs, and, finally, social records. Curator: Well put. Each choice in the composition creates echoes. Thanks to those echoes, this object continues to intrigue after over a century.