The Drama is Making Long Strides, from the Jokes series (N87) for Duke brand cigarettes 1890

Editor: Here we have "The Drama is Making Long Strides" from 1890, part of the Jokes series for Duke brand cigarettes. I am struck by the subject's pose, walking right on those rails! It evokes a sense of precarious balance to me. What formal elements really stand out to you in this small print? Curator: Notice the meticulous rendering of the receding railroad tracks; the artist employs a delicate system of tonal gradations to give the impression of depth. This is contrasted by the flatness of the figure itself, its two-dimensionality emphasized by its simplified form. Editor: So, it is both flat and conveys depth? How does the medium, a color print, contribute to this interplay of flatness and depth? Curator: Precisely. The limitations of the printing process necessitate simplification, contributing to the figure's flatness. However, the subtle washes of color in the background and on the subject’s coat add visual texture and imply volume. Look closely at the gradient used to portray the sky or to shade the brown jacket, and you'll see the push and pull I'm pointing at. Editor: I do see that. So, would you say that tension between depth and flatness creates the unique dynamic in this image? Curator: It's certainly a primary aspect of its visual interest, combined with the subject matter of a solitary figure "on the rails". Also notice that this is one work from a commercial series for marketing Duke cigarettes: its small size, the use of an amusing saying, and bold colors aimed to catch the eye and entertain consumers. How fascinating that we're analysing such a simple artwork today! Editor: Absolutely! Thinking about it in terms of semiotics now is so intriguing. Thanks for pointing those details out!