Keokuk's Son, Sac and Fox, from the American Indian Chiefs series (N2) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1888

This lithograph of "Keokuk's Son, Sac and Fox" was created by Allen & Ginter as part of their American Indian Chiefs series. The composition centers on a portrait, tightly framed to emphasize the subject’s face and upper torso. Note the striking horizontal lines of ochre and white paint that adorn the face and head, which are juxtaposed with vertical lines painted along the neck. A feather and decorative element are placed asymmetrically, breaking the potential for strict symmetry. Consider this image within the context of semiotics, where the subject is presented through a series of coded representations. The formal presentation echoes the visual language of ethnographic documentation, yet it also functions as a promotional item. Ultimately, the lithograph invites us to consider how cultural signs are extracted, transformed, and commodified. This complex interplay of signifiers challenges static meanings, prompting an ongoing re-evaluation of representation.