Cross Bowman, France, 15th Century, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

This small chromolithograph was created by the Kinney Tobacco Company around the turn of the 20th century to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. Chromolithography was a newly industrialized printing process at the time, enabling the inexpensive production of colorful images on a mass scale. The card depicts a French crossbowman of the 15th century, rendered with attention to the textures of metal armor and the details of his weaponry. The sharp lines and vibrant colors are characteristic of the printing process. The very making of this artwork speaks to the rise of consumer culture, as it was designed not as a standalone object, but as a collectible insert to encourage repeat purchases of cigarettes. In this context, even a romanticized image of a medieval soldier becomes a commodity. Consider how this tiny card reflects the values of its own time – an era of industrial expansion, mass production, and the commodification of culture. Ultimately, the card blurs the boundaries between art, advertising, and the everyday objects that shape our lives.