Capitol of Ohio in Columbus, from the General Government and State Capitol Buildings series (N14) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1889

Allen & Ginter’s "Capitol of Ohio in Columbus" is a chromolithograph trading card, part of a series from the late 19th century. The image is dominated by the Capitol building, rendered with a rigorous attention to form and symmetry. The building’s architecture is presented through the contrasting use of vertical columns and horizontal entablatures, creating a grid-like structure. The dome, set atop the structure, adds a cylindrical form that breaks the rigidity of the linear composition and offers a visual counterpoint. Notice how the scale and placement of the building against the horizon create a sense of imposing stability. The subtle palette, with its muted tones, reinforces the building's monumentality. The sky, rendered in soft hues, contrasts with the building’s solid form, drawing the viewer's eye to the architectural details. The semiotic interplay between form and color suggests themes of civic pride and permanence, reflecting the cultural values of its time. The print invites us to consider how such images were designed to construct and communicate ideas about American identity.