Grizzly Bear, from Quadrupeds series (N41) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1890

This chromolithograph, "Grizzly Bear", was produced by Allen & Ginter for their cigarette packs. Far from traditional art materials, tobacco cards like these were a low-cost, mass-produced medium. The image is a multi-layered story of materiality, making, and context. Chromolithography allowed for color printing on a scale never before imagined, creating a vivid, eye-catching scene. The card is from a series depicting quadrupeds, linking exotic animals to the act of smoking in the minds of consumers. The manufacturing process involved many hands, from the artists who created the original design to the factory workers who printed and packaged the cards. The juxtaposition of the bear, the hunter, and the industrial axe looming above is a powerful representation of human impact on nature. The card is not just about the grizzly bear; it's about how the animal has been commodified, hunted, and made a symbol of progress. This little card speaks volumes about the intersection of commerce, culture, and the natural world, blurring the lines between fine art and everyday ephemera.