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

This is "Modena," a chromolithograph card, created by Allen & Ginter for their cigarette brands. It showcases the flag of Modena, dominated by horizontal bands of red, white, and blue, and emblazoned with a crowned shield. Flags, banners, and standards have always been more than mere emblems of states. From ancient Rome's vexillum to the oriflamme of medieval France, they encapsulate collective identity and cultural memory. Here, the Modenese flag, meant to inspire feelings of loyalty and pride, floats above a pastoral landscape, a scene of cultivated tranquility. Consider the crown atop the shield: it signifies sovereignty and legitimacy, evoking ancient symbols of power that stretch back to antiquity. Think of the laurel wreaths of Roman emperors, transformed into the jeweled crowns of European monarchs. These symbols elicit deep-seated psychological responses, a shared understanding of authority and order passed down through generations, influencing even subconscious emotions. The flag and crown, ever evolving, serve as potent symbols of cultural continuity, reflecting the ever-shifting tides of history.