Portrait of woman, from the Novelties series (N228, Type 1) issued by Kinney Bros.

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of 19th-century American advertising with this charming *Portrait of Woman* from Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company's Novelties series (N228, 1), created in 1889. At just 1 9/16 inches in diameter, this petite, round commercial color lithograph likely a collectible insert tucked into cigarette packages, enticing smokers with its vivid imagery during the height of the tobacco trade cardze. Kinney Bros., a prominent tobacco firm, produced these ephemera to build brand loyalty and spark collecting fever among enthusiasts of all ages. The artwork showcases the mastery of chromolithography—a revolutionary printing technique that layered vibrant colors through multiple stones, enabling mass production of eye-catching portraits at affordable prices. This small-scale portrait of an elegant woman exemplifies the era's fascination with feminine beauty, aligning with Victorian ideals while serving as clever marketing. As part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Jefferson R. Burdick Collection, it highlights how everyday commercial art bridged fine printing and popular culture, preserving slices of Gilded Age life. Today, this tiny treasure reminds us of advertising's artistic flair and the joy of ephemeral collecting—hold it close, and you'll feel the pulse of 1889!

About the Artist

Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company · 1869–2011

**Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company (1869–2011)** Founded around 1869 by Francis Sherwood Kinney in New York City, the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company quickly rose to prominence in the burgeoning American cigarette industry. Francis, a pioneering tobacco manufacturer, experimented with hand-rolled cigarettes using blends of Turkish and Virginia tobacco, scaling to mass production by employing Europ...