Officer, 7th Reg. Cavalry, Italy, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

This chromolithograph from the Kinney Tobacco Company depicts an officer of the 7th Regiment of the Italian Cavalry. Note the prominent stars adorning his cape and collar. Stars, those celestial symbols of guidance and aspiration, have long held a place in the human psyche. We find them in ancient Mesopotamian art, guiding kings and marking divine favor. Here, the star signifies the officer’s rank and status. Think back to the medieval knights, their shields emblazoned with stars, or the Renaissance depictions of divine figures crowned with stars. This motif has reappeared throughout history, each time subtly altered to fit its new context. These stars evoke a sense of higher purpose, and the collective memory we have attached to them subconsciously influences our interpretation of the subject. The officer is not merely a soldier but a figure of destiny, elevated above the ordinary.