Private, Custer Guards, Grand Rapids, Michigan Militia, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

This chromolithograph, created by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company, showcases a private from the Custer Guards, part of the Grand Rapids, Michigan Militia. The subject is rigidly centered, and is depicted in a formal, upright posture. The color palette is dominated by muted tones. The dark green of the jacket and the light blue trousers create a restrained contrast, softened by the beige backdrop. A clear hierarchy is visible within the composition. The figure is carefully delineated, while the background is devoid of detail, pushing the figure forward. The lines are sharp and clean. Despite its commercial purpose, the image is interesting from a structuralist point of view. The clear visual grammar—the uniform, the centered pose, the limited color scheme—reinforces societal norms around military service, suggesting a controlled and orderly representation of civic duty. This extends beyond mere marketing, touching on deeper cultural values.