Diana, Goddess of the Hunt, from the Goddesses of the Greeks and Romans series (N188) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co.

Art Historical Context

**Diana, Goddess of the** This petite chromolithograph from 1889 captures the Roman goddess Diana in poised elegance, bow at the ready amid a mythical landscape. Part of the "Godd of the Greeks and Romans" series (N188), was produced by the Ketterlinus Lithography Company for William S. Kimball & Company, a tobacco firm. These vibrant cards were tucked into cigarette packages as promotional inserts, sparking a collecting craze among late-19th-century Americans and turning everyday ephemera into cherished keepsakes. Chromolithography, a pioneering color printing technique, allowed for mass production of vivid, multi-layered hues on a tiny scale—just 1 ½ × 2 ¾ inches. This commercial innovation democratized classical mythology, bringing ancient figures like Diana—patroness of the hunt, wilderness, and the moon—into Victorian parlors. Her depiction reflects enduring Renaissance influences, blending strength and grace. Today, preserved in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Jefferson R. Burdick Collection, this card highlights the intersection of advertising, artistry, and cultural reverence. A testament to Gilded Age ingenuity, it reminds us how fleeting trade cards immortalized timeless legends.

About the Artist

Ketterlinus Lithography Company|William S. Kimball & Company ( |American) · |1850 – |1950

|Philadelphia, Pennsylvania