Dutch Indies, from Flags of All Nations, Series 2 (N10) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1890

Editor: So, this small lithograph from 1890 is titled "Dutch Indies" and it’s part of a series of cigarette cards by Allen & Ginter. The colours are so vibrant, but there's something unsettling about a flag being used to sell cigarettes. What do you make of this image? Curator: That unease is understandable, and important. We’re seeing a commercial appropriation of national symbols at the height of colonial expansion. The "Dutch Indies" weren't simply a place; it was a site of exploitation, violence, and cultural erasure justified by the very idea of nationhood this flag represents. Allen & Ginter is leveraging that political power. Editor: The flag is also adorned with a laurel wreath and what looks like a sword. Is that common? Curator: The combination speaks volumes. The laurel wreath usually signifies victory or achievement, masking the brutal reality of colonial conquest. The sword, of course, is the instrument of that conquest. Notice how the placement seems to sanctify violence with the promise of "civilization." Editor: It's disturbing to consider how such a small image can hold so much… baggage. Is "Japonisme" connected to these kind of images? Curator: Good question. It’s connected insomuch as both artistic movement and colonial expansion signify the West's interest in ‘capturing’ the East – the "Orient". The formal flatness and decorative aesthetic flattens real, geopolitical complexities. Editor: So, the beauty is…deceptive. Curator: Exactly. The attractive surface draws us in, normalising what should be seen as deeply problematic. What responsibility do corporations have in shaping our perceptions of the world? That is what I ask myself now. Editor: I guess it is about understanding the layers beneath what seems like a pretty picture. Thanks, that really opened my eyes! Curator: And thank you. Examining the seemingly mundane objects of the past can reveal so much about the power structures that continue to shape our present.