Staff Orderly, Sweden, 1886, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

This chromolithograph, produced in 1886 by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company, depicts a Swedish Staff Orderly. Observe his helmet, a Pickelhaube, adorned with an emblem evoking authority and military might. The Pickelhaube, initially a symbol of Prussian militarism, spread across Europe, embodying power and discipline. It echoes the Roman Galea, both designed to instill a sense of awe. Recall, however, the shifting meanings: once symbols of national pride, such helmets became emblems of oppressive regimes. The sword, too, signifies authority, a visual echo of the scepter. Note the relaxed grip, though, a subtle detail suggesting a tension between readiness and repose. The orderly's posture and attire are meant to project power, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. These symbols, though rooted in a specific time, resonate with the collective memory of power and authority. The images resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings, reflecting the cyclical nature of history.