Private, Busch Zouaves, St. Louis, Missouri Militia, from the Military Series (N224) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company to promote Sweet Caporal Cigarettes 1888

This chromolithograph was made in the United States by Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company as a promotional item for Sweet Caporal Cigarettes. It depicts a private in the Busch Zouaves, a militia from St. Louis, Missouri. The image offers a glimpse into the visual culture of the late 19th century, where commercial interests intersected with military romanticism. The Zouaves, known for their colorful, North African-inspired uniforms, were a popular subject in American art and photography, evoking a sense of exoticism and martial prowess. Here the commercial company, Kinney Brothers, connected their product to the consumer’s desire for sophistication and worldliness. Tobacco companies were major players in the shaping of popular opinion. To fully understand this image, we can turn to archives of advertising ephemera, military histories, and studies of consumer culture. Understanding its place in the visual landscape of its time reveals the complex social and economic forces shaping artistic production.