Emil Voss, Strongest Man in the World, from the Goodwin Champion series for Old Judge and Gypsy Queen Cigarettes 1888

This late 19th-century chromolithograph, produced by Goodwin & Company, presents Emil Voss, celebrated as the "Strongest Man in the World," as part of a cigarette card series. Voss's muscular physique, rendered with meticulous detail, dominates the frame. The composition is tightly cropped, intensifying the focus on his form. The semiotic structure of the image operates through codes of masculinity and spectacle. Voss's crossed arms and direct gaze project confidence, while his flamboyant attire—a patterned top—adds to the theatricality. The vibrant colors, combined with the texture of the print, create a visual spectacle that speaks to the promotional function of the card. Ultimately, the visual rhetoric of this card hinges on the interplay between strength and performance, underscoring how identity is constructed through visual representation.