Marshal Ney, from Leaders series (N222) issued by Kinney Bros. 1888

This small chromolithograph of Marshal Ney was made by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company, sometime in the late 19th century. Printed on paper, the image shows the French military commander in his full regalia, with a smaller scene of him on horseback below. Chromolithography allowed for mass production of colorful images, making them accessible to a wide audience. In this case, the print was used as a promotional item, inserted into cigarette packages. The process involved creating a series of lithographic stones, one for each color, and then printing them in sequence. This required skilled labor and careful registration to achieve a detailed and vibrant image. The print's small size and mass-produced nature speak to the rise of consumer culture and the use of art in advertising. It challenges traditional notions of art as a unique and precious object, instead highlighting its role in the wider social and economic landscape. By considering the materials, making, and context of this image, we can better understand its full meaning and significance.