Jake Gaudaur, Oarsman, from the Goodwin Champion series for Old Judge and Gypsy Queen Cigarettes 1888

Editor: This is "Jake Gaudaur, Oarsman," from 1888. It was created by Goodwin & Company for the Old Judge and Gypsy Queen Cigarettes series and I find it intriguing that it’s a combination of drawing, print, and photography all in one! He looks so self-assured. I'm curious, what is your interpretation of this portrait beyond just a simple advertisement? Curator: This piece gives us a glimpse into the late 19th-century culture surrounding celebrity and commerce. The Goodwin Champion series highlights prominent athletes, linking their images with the burgeoning consumer market. Consider that tobacco companies used these cards to promote their products, embedding images of health and athleticism with an inherently unhealthy product. What does this juxtaposition tell us? Editor: Well, it suggests they were trying to appeal to a broader audience, associating their product with positive attributes like strength and skill. Almost like a "lifestyle" ad we'd see today. So it's less about Gaudaur himself and more about what he represents to potential customers? Curator: Precisely. The portrait serves as a cultural artifact, demonstrating how celebrity culture was developing alongside advertising and mass media. Note also the relatively new medium of photography being leveraged here. It brought a perceived sense of realism and immediacy, further enticing consumers. Editor: That makes so much sense. The connection to consumer culture provides a clearer framework to understanding the artwork and how to look at its context in society. Curator: And in doing so, we see how the art of portraiture transitions from the elite to the everyday.