Ponka Chief, North America, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

This lithograph, "Ponka Chief, North America," was produced by Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company as part of a series of promotional cards for Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. The composition features a seated figure adorned with intricate patterns and vibrant colours. The contrast between the pink robe, yellow scarf, and the elaborate feather headdress immediately draws the eye. The image is structured around a play of signs. The chief's regalia, from the feathered headdress to the patterned clothing, functions as a visual code denoting status and cultural identity. The mountains in the background and the stylized waves at the bottom create a symbolic landscape which situate the figure within a specific cultural and geographical context. This image is not merely a representation but a construction deeply embedded in the cultural and commercial context of its time. It presents a fixed and romanticized image of Native American identity, designed to appeal to consumers. The use of visual stereotypes, while seemingly celebratory, flattens cultural complexity into a consumable image.