Red Shirt, Dakota Sioux, from the American Indian Chiefs series (N2) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands

Art Historical Context

This vibrant chromolithograph, *Red Shirt, Dakota Sioux captures the dignified portrait of a Dakota Sioux leader as part of the *American Indian Chiefs* series (N2), produced by the Allen & Ginter cigarette company in 1888. just 2¾ x 1½ inches, these diminutive prints were designed as collectible inserts tucked into cigarette packs, transforming everyday tobacco products into coveted trading cards for enthusiasts of the era. The commercial color lithograph technique—pioneered in the late 19th century—enabled mass production of richly hued images with remarkable detail, making high-quality art accessible to the public. Allen & Ginter's series reflected America's growing fascination with Native American figures during a time of westward expansion and Wild West spectacles, blending portraiture with promotional ephemera. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Jefferson R. Burdick Collection, this piece exemplifies how everyday objects preserved cultural icons, offering a window into late Victorian popular culture and the commodification of indigenous identities. Visitors will appreciate its intimate scale and bold colors, a testament to the artistry of advertising.

About the Artist

Allen & Ginter

Allen & Ginter, the pioneering American tobacco firm based in Richmond, Virginia, emerged around 1880 from the partnership of John F. Allen and Lewis Ginter, evolving from Allen's earlier John F. Allen & Company. Allen retired in 1882, succeeded by John Pope, yet the brand endured under Ginter's leadership, employing over 1,100 workers—mostly women—for hand-rolled cigarettes by 1886. Ginter, a Dut...