Saint Enegat, from the Beautiful Bathers series (N192) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. 1889

This chromolithograph, "Saint Enegat," was printed by the Wm. S. Kimball & Co. as a promotional item included in cigarette packages. Here, the material, paper, is less significant than the method of production, chromolithography, a chemical printing process enabling mass production of colored images. It democratized image-making, extending it beyond the realm of unique artworks. Kimball leveraged this technology to connect smoking with leisure, fashion, and even a loose idea of ‘art.’ The image presents an ideal of feminine beauty, styled for the beach. But what does she have to do with Saint Enegat? Perhaps this is just an amusing juxtaposition – or does it say something about the commodification of beauty? Ultimately, "Saint Enegat" invites us to consider how materials and making intersect with commerce and popular culture. It prompts questions about labor, consumption, and the values embedded in everyday objects, blurring the lines between art, advertising, and social life.