Miner, from the Occupations for Women series (N166) for Old Judge and Dogs Head Cigarettes 1887

This chromolithograph of a female miner, produced by Goodwin & Company for Old Judge and Dogs Head Cigarettes, forms part of the Occupations for Women series. Made in the late 19th century in America, it reflects changing gender roles amidst industrial expansion. The image presents an idealized, and frankly, unrealistic vision of women's labour. The miner's fashionable attire and pristine appearance sharply contrast with the harsh realities of mining work. This tension creates meaning and prompts questions about how women were integrated into a workforce still dominated by men. The image isn’t really about labour but about cultural anxieties and aspirations of that time. It shows the ways in which commercial imagery and advertising were involved in shaping public perceptions of women and work. By consulting archives of advertising ephemera, social surveys, and labor statistics, we can uncover the complex interplay between art, commerce, and society during this transformative period of American history.