Blackfish, from the Fish from American Waters series (N8) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1889

Curator: Before us we have "Blackfish," from the Fish from American Waters series (N8), crafted around 1889 for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands. It's a fascinating print employing colored pencils, currently residing here at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. What strikes you initially? Editor: There's a stillness, almost a solemnity. The fish seems suspended, caught between worlds. And those intense red eyes... they’re mesmerizing, holding so much weight for such a small piece. Curator: Considering Allen & Ginter's marketing strategies, we can understand this piece within a context of late 19th-century consumer culture. These cards were essentially advertisements, meant to be collected and traded, projecting an image of American abundance and natural resources, yet participating in capitalist, and colonialist dynamics. Editor: The fish itself is heavy with symbolism. Water creatures often represent the subconscious, the hidden depths of the mind. Is this fish embodying something the cigarette brand wanted associated with its product: mystery, the allure of the unknown, a dangerous knowledge? Its gaze carries centuries of myths and primal instincts. Curator: Perhaps it speaks to an aspiration. As burgeoning industrialists, Allen & Ginter and their customers participate in social changes, possibly aspiring towards wealth and sophistication; this collectible alludes to an understanding of nature and American ecology. Editor: The image reminds me of a lot of older Japanese art depictions. But in Shinto belief, a fish might represent prosperity and abundance. This image evokes an ambivalent feeling. Curator: Exactly, the cultural context becomes crucial. Here, it's entangled with the marketing of tobacco, and colonialism so the meaning is inherently skewed toward propaganda rather than a sacred icon. Editor: Yes, what initially seems beautiful and simple becomes unsettling when you consider that duality. The colors have a deceptive calm but the intensity of the fish's gaze makes this image complex. Curator: By placing this seemingly innocuous fish within the framework of American consumerism, we can question the cultural narratives and consider the ethical dimensions. Editor: Seeing it through this lens offers a chilling reminder about the subtle ways commerce shapes perceptions. It also serves as a looking glass into a past that created current conditions. Curator: Agreed. Its accessibility made it culturally powerful. Editor: Quite the fascinating commentary beneath a serene surface!