Marigold: Disdain, from the series Floral Beauties and Language of Flowers (N75) for Duke brand cigarettes 1892

This is a chromolithograph trading card titled ‘Marigold: Disdain,’ made in the United States for the American Tobacco Company, as part of their series for Duke brand cigarettes. This card, like others in the series, combines the image of a fashionable woman with the symbolic language of flowers. The marigold here signifies disdain, yet the woman's expression seems more demure than scornful. The card reflects the complex social dynamics of the late 19th century. It points to the rise of consumer culture and advertising, as well as the evolving roles of women. Mass-produced and widely distributed, these cards served as promotional tools and offer a glimpse into the cultural values and social norms of the period. By researching the history of advertising, tobacco consumption, and the cultural meanings associated with flowers, we can better understand the social context in which this image was created and consumed. Art history, after all, is inseparable from social history.