Sweep, from the Occupations for Women series (N166) for Old Judge and Dogs Head Cigarettes 1887

This small printed card titled "Sweep" was one of a series called "Occupations for Women," issued by Goodwin & Company, purveyors of Old Judge and Dogs Head Cigarettes. The image is a lithograph, a printmaking technique where an image is drawn on a flat stone or metal plate and then transferred to paper. The process allowed for mass production, reflecting the rise of consumer culture and the burgeoning advertising industry in the late 19th century. The card depicts a woman dressed as a chimney sweep. The choice of profession is interesting, given the physically demanding and often dangerous nature of the work. Was this an actual occupation for women at the time, or more of a fantasy? It is important to remember that this card was created to sell cigarettes, therefore the female figure is idealized and presented for the male gaze. These kinds of artifacts are a reminder that the history of art is also a history of labor, gender roles, and the marketplace.