Cornet, from the Musical Instruments series (N82) for Duke brand cigarettes 1888

Editor: This small lithograph, "Cornet, from the Musical Instruments series" by W. Duke, Sons & Co., dates to 1888. It reminds me of advertisements I've seen, but with more artistic detail. The young woman seems to be allegorical... I wonder, what symbols stand out to you in this work? Curator: The way she delicately holds the cornet speaks volumes. The instrument itself isn't merely a musical device, but a symbol of a cultivated pastime. The soft, pastel hues, almost saccharine, point to a certain idealized femininity prevalent at the time. Don't you find the idealized portrait, particularly the cornet player, suggestive? Is it aspiration? Sensuality? What is she telling us about societal norms? Editor: The association with cigarettes makes me think of how brands created an ideal lifestyle. The musical instrument is therefore a part of that fantasy and its association with "high class." Curator: Precisely! The brand leverages these symbols. Musical skill was aligned with feminine grace, making both, in a sense, commodities. Consider, then, the semiotics of advertisement... does the illustration promote artistry or does it simply reinforce capitalist desires? Editor: It is really interesting to see these marketing strategies contextualized! The image now reads differently now knowing this... Curator: Agreed! These types of objects highlight cultural aspirations as much as individual expression. I hadn't fully appreciated the role of advertising in crafting a societal ideal until now.