Carbineer, France, 1853, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

This small chromolithograph, "Carbineer, France, 1853," was part of a military series issued by the Kinney Tobacco Company. Its visual impact lies in the striking contrast and careful arrangement of colours: the bright reds and blues of the uniform against a muted background. The soldier’s frontal pose divides the composition vertically, creating symmetry that is only broken by the sword he holds to his right. This rigid structure conveys a sense of formality and discipline, key attributes of military representation at the time. The sharp lines and distinct colour fields do not blend, reinforcing a clear, almost diagrammatic representation. The image functions less as a portrait and more as a signifier. The Carbineer is depicted to embody the codes and ideals of military service, its structural clarity reflecting the organised systems of power it represents. This image is a cultural artefact, designed not only to be aesthetically pleasing but also to embody a sense of national pride and order.