Mullet, from the series Fishers and Fish (N74) for Duke brand cigarettes 1888

This small lithograph, part of the Fishers and Fish series by Knapp & Company, presents a mullet against a subtly textured backdrop. The fish is rendered with a mix of sharp outlines and softer gradations of color. Notice how the chromatic scale, from the deep blues and greens along the spine to the silvery white of the belly, gives a sense of depth, while the horizontal lines create an illusion of movement. These lines destabilize the conventional hierarchy between figure and ground. The composition divides the space into distinct layers, challenging our perception of depth and inviting us to question the nature of representation itself. The materiality of the print, with its smooth surface and fine lines, reflects a moment of mass production. This challenges the traditional aura of uniqueness associated with art. This work asks us to consider how meaning is created through visual structure and cultural context.