Rock Ptarmigan, from the Game Birds series (N13) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1889

This is "Rock Ptarmigan" from the Game Birds series made by Allen & Ginter for their Cigarette Brands, a small chromolithograph at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The image presents a bird, framed by decorative floral and geometric designs, set against a soft, pastoral landscape. Notice how the composition creates a layered effect, with the bird prominently placed in the foreground, its detailed plumage contrasting with the more generalized background. The use of color, particularly the browns and blues, adds a textural depth to the scene. This interplay of color and form invites us to consider the relationship between representation and artifice. Is it an attempt to capture the essence of nature or to create a stylized ideal? Ultimately, this work functions as both an advertisement and a piece of art, blurring the boundaries between commerce and aesthetics. The formal elements serve to elevate the image beyond its commercial purpose, inviting ongoing interpretation.