Snake Dance, from National Dances (N225, Type 1) issued by Kinney Bros. 1889

"Snake Dance," a chromolithograph, was created by the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company as part of its "National Dances" series. These cards, distributed with tobacco products, offer a glimpse into the late 19th-century Western fascination with and, let's be frank, misrepresentation of global cultures. This image, while seemingly exotic, is steeped in colonial-era stereotypes. The woman, adorned in what could be generously called 'exotic' attire, performs with snakes, evoking an image of the 'mysterious' Orient. It’s important to remember that these images were not created to celebrate cultural diversity, but rather to titillate and sell a product to a specific consumer base. What does it mean when a cultural practice is reduced to a mere spectacle for commercial gain? Consider how this image, and others like it, contributed to the construction of an 'Other' – a romanticized yet ultimately dehumanized version of non-Western cultures. It prompts us to reflect on the power dynamics inherent in representation and the lasting impact of these historical portrayals.