Meadow Lark, from the Birds of America series (N4) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1888

This "Meadow Lark" image comes to us from the Allen & Ginter company, printed on a small card, likely in the late 19th century. The company produced them as collectibles, included with their cigarette brands. The chromolithographic printmaking process allowed the firm to cheaply reproduce images in color. If you look closely, you can see the subtle layering of inks that builds up the image of the bird and its habitat. The smooth, almost glossy surface speaks to the industrial process behind its creation. Consider this card in the context of its time. It was part of a larger trend of mass-produced ephemera, reflecting a growing consumer culture. The image of the meadow lark, a symbol of nature, was thus paradoxically brought to consumers through a highly industrialized system. This small card, made through industrial processes and distributed with a widely consumed product, encourages us to consider how art, nature, and commerce intertwine, blurring the boundaries between high art and everyday life.