Violin, from the Musical Instruments series (N82) for Duke brand cigarettes 1888

This is an advertisement card for Duke cigarettes, printed sometime between 1870 and 1920. It presents a woman gracefully holding a violin, its elegant curves and polished wood catching the light. The violin here symbolizes harmony and refinement. In antiquity, stringed instruments were linked to Apollo, the god of music and healing. But look closer, and you see the woman is not actively playing; instead, the violin is an emblem of status and sophistication. Consider how musical instruments appear across art history, from ancient Greek lyres to Renaissance lutes. Each era imbues them with new significance. Here, the violin's association with high culture is repackaged for a mass consumer market, subtly suggesting that smoking Duke cigarettes aligns one with elegance and taste. The motif has come full circle: an image meant to inspire calm and contemplation is used to sell cigarettes.