About the Artwork:

The Buffords Sons Lith. Co. was a prominent American lithography firm based in Boston, operating with influence throughout the 19th century. Founded by John Henry Bufford, a key figure in the development of American lithography, the company was known for its high-quality prints, illustrations, and posters. Their work often included vibrant and detailed images that catered to a wide range of commercial and artistic needs, capturing the cultural and social nuances of American life during that era. Their contribution to the lithographic arts is notable for both technical innovation and the popularization of artistic prints.

"Miss Shell and Mr. Lemon" features anthropomorphic representations of an oyster shell and a lemon in a playful, possibly romantic interaction. Miss Shell is elegantly and delicately detailed while Mr. Lemon is depicted with a zestful and bright appearance, enhancing his citrus character.

Public domain image courtesy of Cornell University Library Digital Collections, modified.

About the Artwork:

Amédéé Varin (active mid-19th century) was a French caricaturist known for his witty and often bizarre illustrations. While details about his life remain scarce, his surviving works offer a glimpse into the playful and satirical artistic circles of 19th-century France. Varin's "Carotte conjugale" ("Married Carrot") is a prime example, using a common vegetable to deliver a humorous and thought-provoking commentary on marital relations.

The artwork features a woman's face and torso forming into a carrot. She is garbed in the greens of the vegetable and embraces, presumably, her husband who is also depicted in vegetable form. The couple appears to be situated in a shared home on a sofa, with artwork of another vegetable persona hung on the wall behind them.

Image courtesy of the Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) under a CC-PDM license.

About the Artwork:

While the specific artist behind the artwork on this advertisement card remains unknown, the print was produced by Clay & Richmond, a Buffalo, New York-based printing and publishing company that flourished in the mid-19th century. They were known for their quirky and often humorous chromolithographs, a type of colored print popular during that era.

This particular chromolithograph features a man's head, sporting a neatly trimmed beard and a serious expression, attached to the body of a plump carrot. The carrot figure is further adorned with a top hat and a monocle, the accessories of a sophisticated gentleman. The overall effect is comical while succeeding in capturing an air of elegance to the carrot gentleman.

Image courtesy of Boston Public Library via the Digital Commonwealth Collection.

About the Artwork:

Thomas Rowlandson was an English artist and caricaturist noted for his colorful and satirical depictions of Georgian society and manners. Born in 1756 in London, Rowlandson's works were distinguished by their robust humor, lively characters, and often bawdy themes. He had a keen eye for the absurdities of human behavior and his drawings frequently featured the social and political scenarios of his time.

"The Last Drop" is an example of Rowlandson’s approach to caricature and social commentary. The artwork portrays a London tradesman overindulging on whiskey punch while having a skeletal representation of death looming over him as he imbibes. The character is depicted in an exaggerated, grotesque manner, emphasizing his inebriation and lack of decorum.

Image courtesy of the Met's Open Access Initiative.

About the Artwork:

Thomas Rowlandson was an English artist and caricaturist noted for his colorful and satirical depictions of Georgian society and manners. Born in 1756 in London, Rowlandson's works were distinguished by their robust humor, lively characters, and often bawdy themes. He had a keen eye for the absurdities of human behavior and his drawings frequently featured the social and political scenarios of his time.

"The Last Drop" is an example of Rowlandson’s approach to caricature and social commentary. The artwork portrays a London tradesman overindulging on whiskey punch while having a skeletal representation of death looming over him as he imbibes. The character is depicted in an exaggerated, grotesque manner, emphasizing his inebriation and lack of decorum.

Image courtesy of the Met's Open Access Initiative.

About the Artwork:

Grégoire Caboche, an intriguing French artist of the 19th century, produced this artwork that illustrates a caricature of a performer from the Académie Royale de Musique, portrayed humorously as an asparagus in a vegetable-themed ballet. The painting captures her on stage, elegantly costumed in the likeness of the vegetable, complete with a slender, elongated bodice and a flared green skirt mimicking asparagus tips. The background suggests a theatrical setting with exaggerated and colorful props representing other vegetables, creating a lively and enchanting atmosphere.

Image courtesy of the New York Public Library's Digital Collections.