Charles A. Dana, The New York Sun, from the American Editors series (N1) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1887

Editor: Here we have a print from 1887, “Charles A. Dana, The New York Sun” as it is named, made as part of the American Editors series by Allen & Ginter Cigarettes. It's a fascinating caricature. I am curious: What do you see in this piece? Curator: The portrait presents a compelling study in contrasts. The textures alone demand attention, don't you agree? The softness of the beard against the crisp lines of the newspaper backdrop. It exemplifies a late, arguably flamboyant take on formal portraiture. Editor: That's a great point! I hadn't considered the textures so closely. Can you explain more about how that ties in to the visual? Curator: Notice how the color palette, although subdued, employs sharp juxtaposition? Dana’s ruddy complexion jumps out against the newspaper's off-white. Note also the scale; presented within this intimate space, it draws attention to line, color and material – what we call its very being, its intrinsic worth as an object. The print embodies not mere likeness, but pure artistic essence. Editor: So you’re less concerned with Dana himself, and more interested in how the picture is structured. Interesting. Thank you for expanding my perspective. Curator: Indeed. Understanding its formal qualities allows for deeper comprehension of visual language and art’s ability to distill concepts, a principle foundational in critical theory. It is through form we access meaning. Editor: Fascinating, a different approach. It makes you look at art, or anything, from a completely structural level, rather than the subject of it all.