Spain, from Flags of All Nations, Series 1 (N9) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1887

This is 'Spain, from Flags of All Nations, Series 1,' a lithograph created for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes. The Spanish flag dominates, its red and gold stripes boldly proclaiming national identity. Above, the castle and lion harken back to medieval heraldry, symbols of power and dominion. But consider the fan, a delicate counterpoint to the flag’s martial air. It depicts a scene of leisure and courtship, painted with a vibrancy that speaks of pleasure and romance. The fan, like the flag, is also a carrier of cultural memory. We see fans depicted in Renaissance paintings and ancient Greek pottery; each appearance adds another layer to its complex history. Through the ages, the fan has symbolized status, femininity, and even secret communication, yet the charged dance between concealment and revelation remains consistent across time. It reappears, transformed yet familiar, engaging us on a subconscious level with its timeless allure.