Song Sparrow, from the Birds of America series (N4) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1888

This small chromolithograph of a Song Sparrow was produced by Allen & Ginter for their series, Birds of America. Here, the bird perches on a branch laden with berries, set against a stylized landscape. The composition is simple, yet the use of color is striking, with the red berries popping against the greens and browns of the foliage and sparrow, while the sky blends delicate shades of blue and gold. The texture is smooth, almost porcelain-like, typical of lithographic prints. This image exists as a commercial product; it invites us to consider the structures of consumerism and the semiotic codes embedded in everyday objects. The idealized depiction of nature serves to both market a product and perhaps subtly comment on the relationship between industry and the natural world. Note how the sharp lines and flat color planes create a sense of artificiality. This quality underscores the artwork's status as a manufactured item, blurring the lines between art, commerce, and our perception of nature.