Artillery, Prussia, 1840, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

This chromolithograph of Prussian Artillery from 1840 was produced by the Kinney Tobacco Company as a promotional item for Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. The composition is dominated by the figure of a soldier, rendered with a keen eye for detail and a striking use of color. The Prussian blue of his coat, set off by the red trim and bright white trousers, creates a visually arresting image. The figure’s rigid posture and the sharp lines of his uniform project an aura of military precision and control. What is fascinating here is the interplay between art and commerce. The artist employs the visual language of military portraiture, traditionally associated with power and authority, to sell cigarettes. It invites us to consider how visual elements can be strategically deployed to construct meaning and shape consumer desires. The card reminds us that art serves multiple purposes, blending aesthetics with cultural and commercial narratives.