Red Cloud, Dakota Sioux, from the American Indian Chiefs series (N2) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1888

This small chromolithograph of Red Cloud, Dakota Sioux, was made by the Allen & Ginter cigarette company, as part of a series of American Indian chiefs. The image is made with printing techniques associated with mass production, not art. It was created as a collectible, inserted into cigarette packs to encourage repeat purchases. The card is an interesting case of cross-cultural appropriation. It uses advanced commercial printing to portray an indigenous leader, and was aimed at consumers who were, knowingly or not, complicit in the displacement of native peoples. The image presents a romantic, stylized portrayal of Red Cloud, complete with a single feather. The bright colors and smooth surfaces belie the difficult historical context in which it was produced, and the labor and politics involved in the manufacturing of tobacco products at the turn of the century. Thinking about materials, making, and context allows us to understand the full meaning of this seemingly simple artwork.