Cardinal Grosbeak, from the Birds of America series (N37) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1888

This late nineteenth-century chromolithograph from Allen & Ginter presents the Cardinal Grosbeak, a bird of striking red plumage, perched delicately among blossoming branches. The bird, a symbol of vitality, occupies a space adjacent to a stylized vase brimming with roses, evoking an allegory of natural beauty. Consider how the color red, embodied by the cardinal, has resonated throughout history, from ancient Roman triumphs to Christian symbolism representing the blood of sacrifice. This vivid hue appears across cultures, a shared visual language that transcends time, reappearing in Renaissance paintings and modern-day emblems of passion and warning. The presence of flowers further enriches the image, their transient beauty mirroring life's ephemeral nature, a memento mori deeply rooted in human consciousness. These symbols, carefully selected, engage viewers on a primal level, reminding us of life's fleeting beauty and the enduring cycle of nature.