Tobacco Rhoda by Mel Ramos, 1965

Mel Ramos is an American painter who represents the movement of the Pop Art. For his works, he often took his wife as a model to superimpose some objects or animals on her body and he also chose other bodies from men magazines like Esquire. In Tobacco Rhoda, the woman sitting on a pack of cigarettes could be interpreted as a commodification of the woman like she was used to sell the cigarettes. Instead of being attracted by this product, the public should be attracted by this woman linked with the cigarettes, she takes most of the space in the painting and she covers a part of the packet with her knee, hiding a part of the mark. Mel Ramos wanted to criticize the publicity at this time, in the sixties, which represented the products constantly with women, vulgarizing their condition. Mel Ramos created a brand-new style in his art by copying the method of the publicity to denounce better. I found this work of art interesting and strong to denounce the publicity which was extremely exaggerated and fictitious. The painting is also flashy, colorful and bright to catch the glance of the public.