Fox Hunt, from the Games and Sports series (N165) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1889

This chromolithograph from the late 19th century was one of a series of collectible cards distributed with Old Judge Cigarettes. It depicts a fox hunt, a popular pastime among the upper classes in countries like England and the United States. These images create meaning through visual codes associated with leisure and luxury. The vibrant colors and detailed depiction of the hunt evoke a sense of excitement, while the inclusion of a fashionable woman in riding attire suggests the social status and gender roles of the time. The cultural references to hunting and smoking reflect the consumer culture of the Gilded Age, where tobacco companies sought to associate their products with sophistication and pleasure. The images are a social commentary of its time, reinforcing the idea that certain activities and lifestyles were exclusive to the wealthy. To fully understand this artwork, historians might examine advertisements, social registers, and other historical sources. The meaning of this image is contingent on its social and institutional context, reminding us that art is not created in a vacuum but is shaped by the forces of its time.