Roxburgh Volunteer Cavalry, Great Britain, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

This is a lithograph of the Roxburgh Volunteer Cavalry, Great Britain, from the Military Series (N224) created by Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company. The overall composition presents a full-length portrait of a cavalry officer in striking detail. The artist uses a harmonious palette of blue, gold, and red to define the figure against a neutral background, creating a balance between the subject and its setting. Note how the lines of the uniform and sword create geometric forms that convey rigidity and order. The image’s structure is a play on semiotic representation: the uniform, sword, and posture are all signs of military authority and precision. However, the small scale and the promotional context of the lithograph disrupt these connotations of power. The artist manipulates the visual language of military portraiture, questioning traditional values associated with rank and status. The artwork challenges the viewer to consider how cultural codes are employed and manipulated to convey ideas. It exists as part of a continuous dialogue on representation, power, and the mutable nature of meaning.