Magnolia: Magnificence, from the series Floral Beauties and Language of Flowers (N75) for Duke brand cigarettes 1892

This cigarette card, printed by the American Tobacco Company, uses chromolithography, a then-modern printing technique. Chromolithography allowed the mass production of color images, making art accessible to a wider audience, albeit as a promotional item. The process involved creating a separate lithographic stone for each color, a labor-intensive procedure requiring skilled artisans. The 'Magnolia' card uses this process to depict a woman crowned with flowers, symbolizing magnificence. The smooth surface and vibrant colors are a direct result of the printing technique, which allowed for fine detail and subtle gradations of tone. It's fascinating to consider how this commercial application of chromolithography democratized image production while simultaneously serving the interests of a powerful industry. The card bridges the gap between artistic technique and industrial production, reflecting the complex relationship between art, labor, and consumerism in the late 19th century.