Hyena, from the Wild Animals of the World series (N25) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1888

This is a lithograph of a hyena, part of Allen & Ginter’s “Wild Animals of the World” series of cigarette cards. The image, though small, captures a vivid scene. Note the hyena’s focused gaze and the bone it clutches, rendered with a stark, almost unsettling realism against the softer, dreamlike background. The composition is deceptively simple, yet the hyena's dominant presence and low angle shot create a sense of confrontation. The lithographic technique is significant here. The fine, almost pixelated texture allows for a subtle gradation of color, enhancing the three-dimensionality of the animal. The moon in the background, along with the stark contrast between light and shadow, evokes a sense of nocturnal drama. The hyena's eyes and teeth create a point of focus. The card's format, meant for mass consumption, turns this depiction into a sort of spectacle. It draws us into a semiotic game, where ideas of nature, culture, and consumerism intersect.