Deer Ham, Ioway, from the American Indian Chiefs series (N2) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1888

This small chromolithograph, titled "Deer Ham, Ioway," from the American Indian Chiefs series, presents a visually striking portrait meant for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes brands. The composition is dominated by the central figure, meticulously rendered with attention to detail in his garments and headdress. The colour palette is rich, with reds and greens juxtaposed against the figure’s skin tone, creating visual harmony. Note how the patterns on his turban and the details of his adornments—feathers, beads, and metallic ornaments—are rendered with precision, yet flattened. The arrangement of these visual elements, while aiming for realism, is framed within the flat, two-dimensional space typical of commercial cards. The card functions as a signifier. It reduces a complex cultural identity into a consumable image, thus reflecting both an artistic and a commercial gaze. Consider how it captures and conveys cultural meanings within a format designed for mass consumption.