Flute, from the Musical Instruments series (N82) for Duke brand cigarettes 1888

This is a chromolithograph titled "Flute," part of the Musical Instruments series (N82) for Duke brand cigarettes, created around 1888 by W. Duke, Sons & Co. The composition centers on a woman holding a flute, her figure rigidly framed against a soft-hued backdrop. Note how her attire—the structured corset and floral headpiece—contrasts with the smooth, cylindrical flute. The artist plays with visual codes, juxtaposing elements of high society with those of musical performance. Consider how the linear quality of the flute, coupled with the vertical lines of the corset, creates a sense of formal order, hinting at the regulated roles of women and the structured nature of artistic representation during this period.