Captain, Cavalry, Spain, 1886, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

This is a promotional trading card produced by Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company in 1886 as part of their Military Series for Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. While seemingly a simple advertisement, this image encapsulates the complex social dynamics of the late 19th century. The card depicts a Spanish cavalry captain, a figure representing authority and national pride. The choice of a military subject speaks to the rising tide of nationalism and militarism prevalent in Europe at the time, including Spain, as well as the romanticization of military service. The production of such cards by a tobacco company also reveals how commercial interests were intertwined with the promotion of national identity and imperial ambitions. To fully understand this image, we might turn to military history, the history of advertising, and studies of Spanish nationalism. Examining the visual codes used to represent military figures can reveal much about the values and ideologies of the time. Ultimately, the image serves as a reminder that art, even in the form of a cigarette card, is always embedded in a specific social and historical context.