Mother Carey's Chicken, from the Birds of America series (N4) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1888

Here we see a collector card, “Mother Carey’s Chicken,” part of the Birds of America series, produced by Allen & Ginter Cigarettes. The image is defined by a stark dichotomy of tones and textures. The bird, rendered in somber shades, dives with a pronounced downward thrust, its wings creating sharp diagonal lines against the gentle, horizontal waves below. The water's surface, depicted with small brushstrokes and gradations of green and white, provides a subtle contrast to the solid, darker mass of the bird. This contrast highlights a deliberate act of deconstruction. The artist challenges traditional landscape art, where elements typically blend harmoniously. Instead, here the bird and sea exist almost as separate planes. This separation not only focuses our attention but also suggests a broader commentary on the artificial constructs within natural representation. The artwork is not merely an aesthetic object but a visual paradox, prompting us to rethink our conventional modes of seeing and understanding the natural world.