General, Servia, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

Editor: Here we have "General, Servia, from the Military Series" by Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company, dating to 1888. It’s a small print, and what strikes me most is how this seemingly dignified military figure is also… kind of comical. I mean, that tiny feather! How should we interpret a piece like this? Curator: Think about how potent symbols are employed. What does the sword represent? The immaculate uniform, replete with gold braid? This is a time when military might and national identity were becoming powerfully intertwined with notions of personal identity. The Servian general’s attire, meant to evoke authority and power, ironically, does the opposite for you. Why do you think that is? Editor: I guess the exaggeration kind of undercuts it. It's like the uniform is wearing him, not the other way around. So the visual language is a little sarcastic? Curator: Perhaps. Or, the artist cleverly exposes something about power and performance. Look at his carefully groomed moustache. Consider how visual signifiers of rank, like that feather, become absurd when emphasized. Do you see any vulnerability beneath the symbols? Does the portrait capture the human and psychological element behind the General's symbolic image? Editor: That’s interesting. The tight-lipped expression might hint at a man carrying the weight of those symbols. Curator: Exactly! These seemingly simple portraits reveal how images carry layered emotional and cultural weight, and offer commentary on national identity and military prowess. What do you think about cigarette companies making works such as this? Editor: Wow, I’d never thought of it that way. It's strange to see what symbols remain today, such as certain military regalia, and wonder if people feel similarly. Curator: Yes, these symbols still wield power, demanding close study and attention.