Black Frizzled Fowl, from the Prize and Game Chickens series (N20) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1891

Editor: This is “Black Frizzled Fowl” from 1891, a coloured-pencil drawing that was made into a print. It's from a series of cigarette cards by Allen & Ginter. There's something quite striking about it, this solitary black chicken. I'm curious, what symbols or associations does it bring to mind for you? Curator: Ah, yes, the "Black Frizzled Fowl." On one level it simply presents a prize chicken. But, within the cultural memory of fowl, across cultures, chickens represent a multitude of aspects: virility, certainly, and even aggression. Think of the cockfights. The striking red comb is especially important. But the "frizzled" aspect makes him less fearsome, even ornamental. Do you get the sense that his black feathers absorb the light? What emotional response does this trigger? Editor: It does feel absorbing somehow, not vibrant. There is some green, but... I feel more of a melancholic or contemplative vibe because of that absorbing effect. Also, because he's alone. Does that resonate at all? Curator: Indeed. Color, as you point out, plays a crucial role. Black often symbolizes mystery, the unknown. Coupled with its isolation, a sense of contemplation certainly emerges. The artist’s intention is unclear – was it purely commercial? – or do you see something else? Think about its original purpose: enticing people to buy cigarettes. It may tap into primal associations with virility to attract smokers. Editor: That tension is fascinating; commerce versus deeper symbolism. That changes how I see the image entirely. Curator: Precisely! And perhaps it’s a useful reminder to keep an open mind in the process of viewing works. These kinds of symbols carry layers, right? It gives the image depth. Editor: Absolutely, I agree. Looking at it now, I realize it speaks more about the complex symbolism we attribute to the world around us than I first realized. Thanks for sharing these thoughts.