Melpomene, Muse of Tragedy, from the Goddesses of the Greeks and Romans series (N188) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co.

Art Historical Context

This delicate color lithograph from 1889 depicts Melpomene, the Greek Muse of Tragedy, as part of the “Goddesses of the Greeks and Romans” series (N188) issued by Wm. S. Kimball & Co. In classical mythology, Melpomene is traditionally shown with tragic mask and cothurnus boots, of dramatic performance that reminded viewers of theater’s power to explore human suffering and fate. Printed by the Ketterlinus Lithography Company, the tiny card—measuring just 2¾ by 1½ inches—exemplifies the vibrant commercial printing techniques of the late nineteenth century. Tobacco manufacturers like Kimball distributed these brightly colored cards inside cigarette packs, turning everyday purchases into opportunities for collecting and learning about classical culture. Such ephemera helped popularize ancient myths among a broad American audience during the Victorian era’s fascination with Greco-Roman heritage. Today, this print resides in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Jefferson R. Burdick Collection, where it preserves a charming intersection of advertising, art, and education. Though modest in scale, the card reflects how commercial imagery once brought the Muses into everyday life, encouraging generations to appreciate the timeless stories of Greek and Roman tradition.

About the Artist

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

**William S. Kimball & Company**, a pioneering American tobacco manufacturer, was established in 1846 in Rochester, New York, by William S. Kimball and James C. Hart. The firm quickly grew into one of the city's largest employers, particularly of women, producing popular brands like Peerless chewing tobacco, Rigatta and Fireside smoking tobacco, and Vanity Fair cigarettes. Under Kimball's leadersh...