Big Elk, Ponca, from the American Indian Chiefs series (N2) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1888

This small card, printed by Allen & Ginter for their cigarette brands, features Big Elk, a chief of the Ponca tribe. It’s made of paper, printed with chromolithography, a technique that uses multiple layers of color to create a vibrant image. The card's smooth surface belies the complex industrial processes behind it. The image of Big Elk is carefully composed, exoticizing him through his headdress and traditional clothing, elements intended to pique the interest of consumers. The commodification of Big Elk's image speaks to a wider context of labor and politics. The very act of printing and distributing these cards was part of a large-scale capitalist enterprise, one that often came at the expense of indigenous populations like the Ponca. The amount of work involved in the production process, from the artists who created the original image to the factory workers who printed the cards, is significant. By examining the materials, making, and social context of this artwork, we can challenge traditional distinctions between fine art and craft, revealing the complex layers of meaning embedded within even the smallest of objects.