Sheepshead, from Fish from American Waters series (N39) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1889

Editor: This is a print entitled "Sheepshead," from the "Fish from American Waters" series made by Allen & Ginter in 1889, using colored pencils. It's surprisingly captivating for something found in a cigarette pack. I am curious about your interpretation of this, particularly given the context in which it was created. Curator: What immediately strikes me is the confluence of commerce, leisure, and representations of nature at the turn of the century. This image, reproduced on a cigarette card, speaks volumes about the commodification of the natural world, turning the fish into a collectible item tied to habits. Have you noticed how it idealizes a natural resource? Editor: Yes, it feels…deceptively simple. It does not prompt the viewer to consider themes beyond just its appearance. Are you suggesting that the image's creation also serves as a sort of advertising campaign? Curator: Absolutely. Consider the socio-political climate of the late 19th century. It occurred in an era of rampant industrialization, colonization and expansion. So-called 'trading cards' reinforced these economic structures. Who had access to the water, fishing and waterfront property depicted here? Who benefitted financially from their capture? How does that impact our viewing of it now? Editor: It makes me think about the undercurrent of exploitation connected to it all. Are there elements of resistance at all from these early genre paintings? Curator: It is difficult to tell. However, asking these kinds of questions forces us to reconsider seemingly innocuous imagery as deeply embedded in larger power structures, and the consumption and class that they represent. Editor: Thank you; I'll consider this differently from now on!