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

Editor: So, this is "Red Bird" from the Birds of America series by Allen & Ginter, a lithograph from 1888. It's striking how vibrant the colours are, almost like a little jewel. How do you interpret this work? Curator: It’s interesting to consider this outside the white-walled gallery. These were trade cards, incentives to buy cigarettes. Birds of America… that sounds celebratory, but what "America" are we talking about here? It’s Gilded Age America: industrial growth, but also aggressive expansion and exploitation of natural resources, all wrapped up in consumer culture. How do you think the company might have been using that? Editor: It feels almost contradictory. You're selling a product associated with health risks, using images of nature. Is it just a marketing ploy? Curator: Precisely. Look at the stylistic influences, too. There’s a hint of Orientalism, an appropriation of Eastern aesthetics that was fashionable at the time, but again, think about power structures. What does it mean to exoticize nature, even within American naturalism? The red bird becomes a commodity, flattened, removed from its ecosystem, a symbol for the brand. Where does that leave our perception of nature then, and now? Editor: So, it's less about pure artistry and more about understanding the social messaging. That makes sense, the company used this vibrant natural imagery to cover a dirty habit. I never would have thought of that! Curator: Exactly. By examining these everyday objects critically, we gain insight into how ideology operates through seemingly innocent images. We are what we consume! Editor: Definitely given me something to consider - that behind this appealing image of nature is something with a lot more socio-historical background than I first expected! Curator: And that is the power of critically engaging with art, it never tells you the complete story upon initial viewing!