Hurdy Gurdy, from the Musical Instruments series (N82) for Duke brand cigarettes 1888

Editor: This is "Hurdy Gurdy" from 1888, a print from the Musical Instruments series by W. Duke, Sons & Co. It features a woman holding the instrument, and it feels very old-fashioned. How do you interpret this work, especially within its cultural context? Curator: Ah, a musical postcard from a time when even cigarettes sought a little… elegance! Think of it as an ancestor of today’s ad. Instead of six-pack abs and fast cars, we have a lady with her hurdy-gurdy! Now, genre painting like this – snapshots of everyday life – were wildly popular. But what does it whisper to you? Editor: I guess it shows a different way of advertising. More focused on culture than just selling the product? Curator: Precisely! Duke wasn’t just selling smokes; they were selling an image – a lifestyle perhaps, tinged with art and sophistication. Notice the colours, too - soft, gentle. This little watercolour wants to charm, not shout. Does it make you think about the sounds she is creating, or where she might be playing? Editor: I never thought about it that way! The instrument becomes almost like a prop, part of the "lifestyle." What do you find most fascinating about it? Curator: I find it so wonderfully deceptive. Seemingly innocent, a pretty portrait… but at its heart, this is all about selling a habit, sugar-coated in art. Isn't that fascinating – and slightly unsettling? What have you discovered? Editor: It’s amazing to see how even something as simple as a cigarette card can tell a whole story about culture, marketing, and art all mixed together. Curator: Indeed. Never underestimate the power of a small image! Especially when it has something to sell.