Liberia, from Flags of All Nations, Series 1 (N9) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1887

This small lithograph of Liberia’s flag, part of Allen & Ginter’s “Flags of All Nations” series, presents a nation through a blend of symbolic and picturesque elements. The flag itself, with its alternating red and white stripes and a single white star on a blue field, dominates the composition, immediately drawing the eye with its bold colors and geometric arrangement. Below the flag, the landscape unfolds, depicting figures in a field, evoking a sense of place and labor. The flag operates here as a sign, a symbol of national identity that attempts to fix meaning, yet the inclusion of the landscape introduces an element of narrative, hinting at the complexities of Liberian life. The tension between the symbolic representation of the flag and the implied narratives within the landscape highlights the constructed nature of national identity. This tension invites us to question how such images participate in broader discourses of nationhood and representation.