Remora, from the series Fishers and Fish (N74) for Duke brand cigarettes 1888

This image of 'Remora' from the series "Fishers and Fish" was produced as a cigarette card by Knapp & Company. It features a figure, the fisherman, and the catch, the fish. Fish, since ancient times, have been symbols of abundance and fertility, often associated with deities of the sea. Consider the remora itself, named after a fish known for its ability to cling to larger creatures. In antiquity, it was believed to have the power to stop ships. In the image, there is a power dynamic between the fisher and the fished, echoing ancient myths where humans test their will against the chaos of nature. Such imagery has been used across cultures, from ancient Roman mosaics depicting maritime scenes to modern advertisements. Each iteration reflects the concerns and desires of its time, revealing the emotional and psychological connection we have with nature. The act of fishing, therefore, engages us on a primal level, tapping into our collective memory of survival and dominance. Like the remora clinging to a shark, symbols persist, resurface, and evolve, carrying layers of meaning through the currents of history.