President of Switzerland, from World's Sovereigns series (N34) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1889

This portrait of the President of Switzerland is from a series of cigarette cards produced by Allen & Ginter, a Richmond, Virginia tobacco company. The series, titled "World's Sovereigns," presents leaders from around the globe, idealizing power and authority. It reflects the burgeoning commercial culture of the late 19th century, where even heads of state could be packaged and sold. Consider how the gaze of the sitter projects an aura of stability and command. The monocle, a symbol of status, hints at an upper-class identity. These cards were essentially advertisements, and they also functioned as cultural artifacts, embodying societal values and assumptions. They highlight the relationship between consumerism and the construction of identity. Today, we might reflect on what it means to commodify leadership and how advertising shapes our perceptions of power.