Nice, from the City Flags series (N6) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1887

This small card for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes presents the city flag of Nice, showcasing powerful symbols within its compact frame. Dominating the flag is the red eagle, perched atop three mountain peaks. Eagles, throughout history, have signified power, victory, and divine authority. Consider the Roman legions, with their eagle standards, or the numerous royal crests featuring this noble bird. This imagery taps into a deep, primal association with strength and dominance. This is coupled with three mountains, common motifs in heraldry to denote geographical significance and stability. The eagle, however, is not static in its meaning; in some contexts, it symbolizes aggression or imperial ambition. Here, the red color enhances the eagle's fiery presence, imbuing it with passion. The viewer is thus engaged in a psychological dance, oscillating between admiration for the eagle's prowess and a subconscious apprehension of its potential for force. Symbols such as these are cyclical, continuously reappearing through history.