Schreiber's Hummingbird, from the Birds of the Tropics series (N5) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1889

Editor: So, this is "Schreiber's Hummingbird" from 1889, a print by Allen & Ginter, seemingly meant for a cigarette card. I'm immediately drawn to its dreamy quality. The colours are soft, almost faded, giving it a very delicate feel. What do you make of it? Curator: Dreamy indeed! It reminds me of a half-remembered tropical vacation, or maybe a fever dream after reading too much Darwin. I’m curious about the influence of Japonisme here – that late 19th-century craze for all things Japanese. Notice how the hummingbird is placed off-center, almost floating. And the simplified shapes! Don't you think there’s a hint of Ukiyo-e in the bird's flat rendering? What do you think they wanted to convey by putting a tropical bird on a cigarette card? Editor: I can definitely see the Japanese influence now that you point it out! Maybe they were trying to associate their brand with exoticism and luxury, hinting at faraway lands… But that’s such a contrast – this delicate artwork advertising something as… well, not delicate! Curator: Exactly! It's a fascinating tension, isn’t it? Think about it, this small watercolor print was meant to be discarded, a fleeting image enjoyed briefly before being tossed away. It’s a lovely meditation on the ephemeral nature of beauty and pleasure itself, and perhaps, a somewhat tragic view of how we consume nature’s wonders! Editor: That makes me see it completely differently. From throwaway advertising to a poignant commentary…Art history never ceases to amaze me. Curator: Isn't it wonderful? It goes to show that even the smallest of images can hold multitudes. It is really exciting.