From the Dogs series (N47) for Virginia Brights Cigarettes 1887 - 1891

Curator: Oh, my, this is quite endearing. It almost melts my heart, doesn't it? Editor: Indeed. Here we have a gelatin silver print from around 1887-1891, part of Allen & Ginter's "From the Dogs series (N47)" for Virginia Brights Cigarettes. It's currently housed here at the Met. What’s grabbing you so instantly? Curator: Just look at that gaze! It’s so full of innocent devotion. And it reminds me of those old-timey photographs that you might find tucked away in your grandparents' attic, full of warmth and yesteryear feels. Though, I guess this one originally lived inside of a cigarette pack. Editor: That's an important aspect of this little card. To me, it raises interesting questions about commodification. These images weren't necessarily considered “art” in the traditional sense but were mass-produced incentives to purchase tobacco. Labor, distribution, the act of consumption are all interwoven here. Curator: Absolutely. And you see the care that went into crafting that portrait. Look how artfully the photographer caught that slight upward tilt of the dog’s head. It has this gorgeous light shining across it. A true celebration of dogginess. Makes me wonder who owned him or her. Editor: Right. It's interesting to consider the contrast between the intended disposable nature of the card and its inherent beauty. Gelatin silver prints, even in miniature, were objects of relatively high craftsmanship at the time, distributed en masse in what was then a growing consumer market. Curator: Which makes it feel almost subversive to look at it with such reverence, as an object worthy of our attention still, after so many years. Almost like the dog is getting the last laugh somehow! Editor: I appreciate that point, that history has allowed this object to transcend its origins and allow us to appreciate the skill in production alongside the charm it possesses. A second life of sorts for a very material thing. Curator: Indeed. It’s been a real treat exploring those little nuances today. Editor: For me as well, a small treasure that invites us to think big.