Saxon Sharpshooter, Germany, 1880, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

This image of a Saxon Sharpshooter from 1880 was made in Germany by the Kinney Tobacco Company. Produced using chromolithography, a color printing technique where multiple lithographic stones are used, each applying a different color ink, it was created to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. The image is a flat, mass-produced object. This medium allows for detailed depictions of the soldier's uniform, weapon, and posture. The choice of chromolithography, rather than a unique art material, emphasizes the card’s status as a commercial product, intended for wide distribution. It shows how a company used advanced printing methods to promote their brand, tapping into the widespread interest in military prowess and national identity at the time. It's interesting how the image uses craft and artistry to serve the needs of industry and advertising, blurring the lines between art, commerce, and propaganda.