Shad, from Fish from American Waters series (N39) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1889

This chromolithograph of a Shad, from the "Fish from American Waters" series, produced by Allen & Ginter Cigarettes, presents a seemingly simple image, yet it carries layers of cultural meaning. The fish motif, central here, appears across millennia, from ancient Egyptian art symbolizing fertility and the Nile's bounty, to Christian iconography where it represents Christ and spiritual nourishment. The choice of the Shad—a common fish—imbues it with everyday life, connecting the viewer to nature's abundance and the rhythms of sustenance. Observe how the detailed scales mimic armor, a detail echoing the protective function of shields and chainmail in times of war. This interplay of mundane subject matter and symbolic weight taps into our collective memory, engaging us on an emotional level. A fish transcends its mere biological existence to embody deeper, often subconscious, associations of life, death, and regeneration. As we gaze upon it, we are reminded of our interconnectedness with the natural world, and the enduring symbols that bind us across time.