Citron, from the Fruits series (N12) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1891

This small chromolithograph was created by Allen & Ginter for their cigarette brand, part of a series called "Fruits." It depicts a young girl in domestic servitude; her youth and gender become central to understanding the era’s social expectations. The image, with its soft colors, evokes a sense of childhood innocence, yet it simultaneously reflects the harsh realities of labor, particularly for young girls during the late 19th century. While appearing benign, these cards reinforced societal norms around gender and class, subtly endorsing a system where young girls were often relegated to domestic roles. Though this card is ostensibly about ‘Citron’, it reveals deeper insights into the cultural values and power structures embedded in everyday objects. It's a poignant reminder of how images shape our perceptions and perpetuate inequalities.