Perch, from the Fish from American Waters series (N8) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1889

Here we see a lithograph of a perch, produced by Allen & Ginter for cigarette cards. The fish, centered and detailed, is a potent symbol, its presence rippling through the currents of cultural memory. Consider the fish, a motif swimming through the depths of art history, from ancient mosaics to Renaissance paintings, often embodying fertility, transformation, or spiritual abundance. The early Christians adopted the fish as a symbol of their faith. We see this image appear again and again. The depiction here, though seemingly simple, touches upon our collective fascination with the natural world. It brings with it the subconscious desire to uncover and categorize the world around us. A world of symbols, constantly evolving, constantly resurfacing.