Annual Fête, Persia, from the Holidays series (N80) for Duke brand cigarettes 1890

This color lithograph, "Annual Fête, Persia," was produced around 1888 by W. Duke, Sons & Co. as part of a series of cigarette cards. The image depicts a woman in what is likely intended to be traditional Persian dress, standing in front of a decorative backdrop. But rather than offering any kind of authentic representation, the image exoticizes and romanticizes the culture of Persia for a Western audience, specifically as an advertisement. During the late 19th century, there was growing interest in collecting and categorizing different cultures. This was fueled by imperialism and a desire to define and control the "exotic" Other. Cigarette cards like this one played a role in constructing and disseminating these views. They were a form of popular education, shaping public perceptions of other cultures. To better understand the image, we might look at the history of advertising and the role of visual culture in shaping ideas about race, gender, and national identity during this time.