Gendarme, Spain, 1853, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

This promotional card for Sweet Caporal Cigarettes, created by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company around 1853, presents a Gendarme from Spain. The figure is rendered with a flat, graphic quality. Linear precision defines the contours, and a restrained palette of blues, reds, and browns gives the image a sense of formality and order. The composition is vertically oriented, emphasizing the upright posture of the Gendarme, which conveys a sense of authority and military bearing. A structural analysis reveals how each element contributes to the overall legibility and impact of the image. The Gendarme’s uniform, complete with its distinctive hat and rifle, not only identifies his role but also serves as a visual marker of Spanish identity and power. The use of color to delineate specific aspects of the uniform directs our gaze and underscores the symbolic function of military dress. In its design, the card is more than just a commercial item. It represents the values of its time.