Chalkboard, from the Novelties series (N228, Type 3) issued by Kinney Bros. 1889

Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company created this small, square card as part of their Novelties series. The composition immediately draws you into a framed portrait, evoking the charm of a bygone era. The artist presents a young person before a chalkboard filled with faint chalk markings. The subtle grain of the 'chalkboard' provides a textured backdrop, contrasting with the smooth, almost porcelain-like skin of the portrait's subject. Note how the subject’s gaze drifts upwards, perhaps towards some unseen knowledge or inspiration. The rough wooden frame around the image plays an interesting role. It disrupts the illusion, reminding us that this is indeed a constructed image, a commodity even, intended for distribution with tobacco products. It challenges our perception of value and art, embedding a commercial item within a framework that mimics traditional portraiture. This tension between art and commerce invites us to question the established norms of artistic expression and its place in everyday life.