Fortuna, Goddess of Fortune, from the Goddesses of the Greeks and Romans series (N188) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. 1889

This color lithograph of Fortuna, Goddess of Fortune, comes from a series issued by the American tobacco company, William S. Kimball & Co. Here, Fortuna, the Roman goddess of luck, fate, and fortune, appears as a beautiful, idealized woman. The cornucopia she holds, overflowing with riches, symbolizes abundance and prosperity. Consider the context: this image wasn't made as high art, but as a giveaway to promote tobacco sales. It speaks volumes about the cultural values of the time, linking classical imagery with consumerism and capitalist expansion. These small cards, collected and traded, became powerful tools for shaping cultural norms and promoting a particular vision of wealth and beauty. Understanding this artwork requires delving into the history of advertising, consumer culture, and the role of corporations in shaping public perception. We can look to archives, business records, and sociological studies to better understand the image's meaning. After all, art always reflects the society that creates it.