Crested Sparactes, from the Song Birds of the World series (N23) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1890

Curator: This small but vibrant print, “Crested Sparactes,” created around 1890 by Allen & Ginter, is from their "Song Birds of the World" series. It resides here at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Editor: My first impression is a burst of meticulously placed color – a very pleasing geometric layout with the speckled background, floral accents, and, of course, the exotic plumage. Curator: Indeed. The depiction evokes an era of fascination with the exotic. Sparactes, and songbirds from all corners of the Earth, were subjects that symbolized freedom and discovery. Consider its inclusion in cigarette card sets; it speaks to a desire to experience the wider world within the grasp of the everyday. Editor: And yet, look closely at the mark-making: The artist balances realistic shading and detailing with a clear understanding of flattened space. We might view this work as deeply influenced by the aesthetics of Ukiyo-e. The use of color, too – such vibrant reds and blues placed strategically across the form – adds to this reading. Curator: You've touched upon the concept of Japonisme that influenced so much Western art. These images romanticize nature and, further, subtly assert dominance over it. To collect and display, whether as fine art or on something as ubiquitous as a cigarette card, was to possess a piece of the natural world, conceptually. Editor: That echoes into the present, I think. We're still captivated by birds; they carry so many cultural associations across different times. This piece captures both artistic innovation in form and the psychology of fascination in a truly compelling way. Curator: Exactly. It’s remarkable how such a small image embodies layers of cultural yearning and aspiration. Editor: Yes, this vivid, jewel-like Sparactes provides ample ground for visual and historical thought.