Sardine, from the Fish from American Waters series (N8) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1889

Curator: This charming little work is titled "Sardine," from the Fish from American Waters series, created around 1889 by Allen & Ginter as part of a promotional campaign for their cigarette brands. The piece is a colored-pencil drawing, mass-produced as a print. Editor: It’s quite delicate. I am immediately struck by the harmonious blending of colors; the shimmering silver of the sardine is expertly rendered with hints of green and blue, giving it a life-like quality. Curator: These trade cards, popular during the late 19th century, offer a glimpse into the manufacturing processes and marketing strategies of the era. The cards were inserted into cigarette packs to encourage repeat purchases, a clever intersection of commerce and consumer culture. Notice the resemblance to Japanese ukiyo-e prints, an intentional aesthetic choice to enhance appeal? Editor: Yes, absolutely. The composition, with its emphasis on the single, isolated figure of the sardine against a minimalist background, reflects that influence. But more than just mimicking Ukiyo-e, it elevates what could have been a simple advertisement to something of quiet beauty. It’s a masterful balance of form and function. Curator: And beyond aesthetics, these cards also served an educational purpose, disseminating information about different species of fish. This particular set provided accessible knowledge about natural resources alongside consumer products, creating a very direct link between the consumption habits of Americans and the natural world. Editor: From a purely visual point of view, I'm fascinated by the tiny flecks of colored pencil which mimic the movement of the water surrounding the fish. Even the light reflected off the sardine's scales is carefully evoked. A great deal of artistry clearly went into the creation of something intended to be briefly glanced at before it was potentially discarded! Curator: It reveals much about the complex interactions between industry, artistic production, and the environment during a transformative period in American history. The sardine becomes more than just a fish, but a representation of an expanding industrialized society. Editor: I'll never look at a sardine tin the same way again. It's remarkable to think about the depth contained in such a seemingly simple image, especially given its purpose.