Baltimore Oriole, from the Birds of America series (N37) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1888

This late nineteenth-century chromolithograph of a Baltimore Oriole comes from Allen & Ginter, a Richmond, Virginia cigarette manufacturer. Mass-produced color images like this one depended on relatively new printing technologies. Each color required a different stone or plate, and a separate pass through the press. This sort of industrial process, demanding intense labor, was typical of the period. The aim was to associate the company’s brand with natural beauty – but the image is also a powerful artifact in its own right. Its design showcases the bird alongside other wildlife scenes, carefully composed to appeal to the consumer's eye. The very small scale of the image speaks to its function as a collectible item, designed to be traded and admired, creating community among consumers of the product. By considering the materials and context of this artwork, we gain insight into the history of production and consumption, expanding our understanding of art beyond traditional boundaries.