Highland Fling, from National Dances (N225, Type 1) issued by Kinney Bros. 1889

Curator: We're looking at "Highland Fling," a print created in 1889 by Kinney Bros. Tobacco Company, now residing here at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The print captures a genre scene, specifically a woman in the midst of a lively Highland dance. Editor: It has such a vibrant, spirited feel, despite the somewhat muted palette. The pose itself conveys the energy of the dance, almost like a snapshot of a fleeting moment. The diagonal lines created by the pose, in combination with the overall symmetry, feels particularly evocative. Curator: Absolutely. It is compelling how this commercial print uses elements of folk art to depict a popular form of entertainment. Observe how the materiality of the print, likely a chromolithograph, lends itself to replicating the complex tartan patterns. The dense over-printing of colors achieves texture as well as vivid pattern making. Editor: I’m also struck by the inherent social dynamics here. Tobacco companies often utilized images like these to appeal to consumers, appropriating cultural elements to promote their products. What sort of manufacturing processes created it? This must have had mass distribution! That commercial connection inevitably impacted its cultural impact. Curator: Indeed. While aesthetically engaging, it represents the commercialization of culture and tradition. The choice of subject matter reflects not only the artistry but also market desires. We must consider this historical moment for insights into its production and distribution context, while considering it also in purely formal terms. Editor: Looking at it again, the artist’s execution really stands out; the plaid patterns in particular have a life-like rendering. I had originally found myself admiring it for only its color, but I also notice how this piece acts as an artifact of cultural appropriation. A lot of layers to unpack there! Curator: Quite true, observing and analyzing this work through differing perspectives really enriches our viewing. The interplay between commercial function and artistic design offers fruitful ground for both analysis and thought.