Scuba, I didn't notice the image was cropped on the tobacco label. I would assume that means the image probably did not originate as label art.
The figure you are seeing in the background is a statute of Athena who is described as "...the Greek and Roman god of wisdom, warfare, meaning, purity, and humanity"... Its no mistake she was the backdrop for an image of a woman locking Cupid up.
I agree that is cupid hovering behind the door, and the bow and torch represent war...the choice is love or war...Either this...or that is the longest legged brat alive and he has locked his mom outta' the house for taking away his toy bow and torch.
While I was thinking about this I realized GettyImages incorrectly referred their image as being a "tobacco crate label", its actually a tobacco card. That doesn't really shed any more light on the origins of this image but I thought I would mention it.
GettyImages made a typo, that should be Hatch, not Hatich. If it were from 1860ish it would have been marked "Hatch & Co.", and if we're marked "Hatch Litho.Co." it would date later than the 1860's. (1887-89 according to one site)
GettyImages made a typo, that should be Hatch, not Hatich. If it were from 1860ish it would have been marked "Hatch & Co.", and if we're marked "Hatch Litho.Co." it would date 1887-1889.
I've been trying to nail down the date they switched the name to the Hatch Lithographic Company (and marking things Hatch Litho Co.), but it seems there's disagreement on that. So, anyway, it is worth researching using both if it would help lead to the artist.
On the ground is Cupid's bow and his quiver (it holds the arrows), not a torch. She has cupid locked away. Could be in reference to "Cupid's Folly", a painting by Guillaume Seignac. The girl looks to be the same as in that painting. - JHinPA