Rope Climbing, from the Gymnastic Exercises series (N77) for Duke brand cigarettes 1887

This small chromolithograph was produced by W. Duke, Sons & Co. in the late 19th century, as part of a series of collectible cards included in cigarette packs. Here, we see an image of a woman climbing a rope. The color lithography process allowed for the mass production of brightly colored images, making them ideal for advertising. The card is a fascinating example of how images of athleticism and leisure were used to promote tobacco consumption. The print's flat, graphic style, with its emphasis on line and color, speaks to its industrial origins. It was designed to be eye-catching and easily reproducible on a mass scale. This all reflects the growing industrialization and consumer culture of the late 19th century, where even leisure activities became commodified. The production of these cards involved a significant amount of labor, from the artists who created the original designs to the factory workers who printed and packaged them. Considering the materials, production processes, and social context encourages a deeper understanding of the artwork's place in history.