Martha Washington, from Leaders series (N222) issued by Kinney Bros. 1888

This lithograph of Martha Washington was produced by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company as part of their Leaders series. It uses visual codes, cultural references, and historical associations to create meaning. Made in the United States at a time when tobacco companies frequently used trade cards to advertise their products, this image presents Martha Washington as an idealized figure. The American flag, a bald eagle, and a rising sun symbolize the values of patriotism and progress. By associating their product with such imagery, Kinney Brothers aimed to tap into the strong sense of national pride prevalent at the time. Examining sources such as marketing publications and business records from the period can help us understand not only the commercial strategies employed by companies like Kinney Brothers, but also how images contribute to shaping cultural values. What does this tell us about the public role of art?