The Hudson River, from the Transparencies series (N137) issued by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to promote Honest Long Cut Tobacco 1884 - 1890

This small, mass-produced card, made by W. Duke, Sons & Co. to promote tobacco, features a sunset view of the Hudson River. The sun, bisected by the horizon, dominates the scene, its reflection shimmering on the water. The setting sun, a universal symbol, speaks to the cyclical nature of life, death, and rebirth. One sees it echoed in ancient Egyptian imagery, where Ra journeys through the underworld each night, only to be reborn at dawn. And yet, here, in this modern, commercial context, the sunset also evokes a sense of nostalgia. It's not only the end of a day, but also an idea for the end of an era. The image captures a yearning for a simpler time, a pre-industrial harmony with nature. This landscape taps into our collective memory, reminding us of the enduring power of nature to evoke both peace and contemplation, even in the face of modernity. We can see this feeling in the landscapes of Caspar David Friedrich.