Colorado, from Flags of the States and Territories (N11) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1888

Editor: This print is entitled "Colorado, from Flags of the States and Territories," made in 1888 by Allen & Ginter. The state flag sits against a hazy landscape, but overall it's quite vibrant! How do you interpret the piece? Curator: Disregarding thematic interpretations for the moment, observe the compositional arrangement. The flag itself dominates, employing a stark contrast of blue against the golden background. What effect does this bold colour combination produce for you? Editor: It feels… well, assertive. My eye is definitely drawn to it immediately. It’s quite a flat composition, isn't it? Not a lot of depth. Curator: Precisely. The shallowness enhances the graphic quality. Furthermore, note how the flag’s ornate details compete with the simplified rendering of the mountains. Is there a tension created by this conflict in styles, do you think? Editor: Definitely! The landscape almost recedes because of how detailed the flag itself is, even though the landscape should, logically, be behind the flag. Curator: Indeed, it forces a dialogue about representation versus reality. Consider the interplay between the symbolic language of the flag—the coat of arms, the Latin motto "Nil Sine Numine"—and the pictorial language of the landscape. Where does meaning truly reside? In the formal device of the flag or in the illusion of perspective suggested by the land? Editor: So, even a seemingly simple image has so much going on beneath the surface just in its construction. Thanks! Curator: You're very welcome. Always look closely at the image itself. It holds the clues.