A Skeleton in the Closet, from the Jokes series (N87) for Duke brand cigarettes 1890

This chromolithograph, created by W. Duke, Sons & Co., features a child reaching for what we assume are forbidden sweets hidden away in a cupboard. It's part of a series of humorous cards that were inserted in cigarette packs. At first glance, the image is a humorous genre scene, but the title adds an intriguing layer. The phrase 'skeleton in the closet' brings with it associations of secrets, hidden shame, and things we try to keep concealed. In this context, the skeleton becomes a symbol of hidden indulgences and the darker aspects of human nature. The act of reaching, almost furtively, towards the sweets transforms from simple childish mischief into a deeper reflection of temptation. The skeleton, as a symbol, traverses centuries, from the 'memento mori' of medieval art to the Danse Macabre. Here, it is divorced from its association with death. Instead, it becomes a symbol of the human desire for forbidden things. Just as the grim reaper in ancient times, the skeleton resurfaces in new forms, cloaked in the playful humor of a cigarette card, yet still tapping into our subconscious awareness of mortality and the hidden parts of ourselves.