Monocle and Eye (blue), from Jocular Ocular series (N221) issued by Kinney Bros. 1889

This is "Monocle and Eye (blue)", a trade card from the "Jocular Ocular" series issued by Kinney Bros. in 1889. Encased within a dark, austere circular frame that mimics a monocle, the image presents a stylized human eye. The composition is dominated by the eye itself, rendered with a surprising realism that contrasts with the card's commercial function. The iris, a striking blue, draws the viewer's gaze, while subtle veins add a layer of complexity. The texture is smooth, yet hints at depth, inviting close inspection. This card engages with the late 19th-century fascination with vision and representation, reflecting broader cultural shifts towards scientific observation. The eye, framed as an object of scrutiny, becomes a signifier of power and knowledge. The circular format challenges conventional notions of portraiture, reducing the subject to a single, isolated feature. This interplay between the part and the whole destabilizes fixed meanings, inviting us to question the act of looking itself. The simple framing and isolated eye create a cultural discourse between art, vision, and perception.