Bavarian Hunter, from World's Smokers series (N33) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1888

This small card, made by Allen & Ginter for their cigarettes, is from a series portraying smokers around the world. Printed on thin paper stock using chromolithography, a method that allowed for mass production, it depicts a "Bavarian Hunter" in traditional garb, complete with a feathered hat and ornate pipe. The high-definition and vibrant colors are achieved through printing each color separately, using a series of lithographic stones or plates, each carrying a different part of the image, then layered precisely to create the final picture. The choice of chromolithography speaks volumes about the intent of the artwork. It’s not about the uniqueness of the hand, or the skilled application of paint. Rather, it is a product of its time, an artifact of industrial capitalism, designed for mass consumption and distribution within cigarette packs. It reflects a society in the midst of industrial transformation, where even cultural representation becomes a commodity to be bought and sold. This card exists within a larger system of labor, advertising, and consumer culture.