Rock Blackfish, from Fish from American Waters series (N39) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes 1889

Editor: This print, "Rock Blackfish" from 1889, is part of the "Fish from American Waters" series by Allen & Ginter Cigarettes. It's striking how meticulously rendered the fish is. What symbolic meanings or deeper cultural associations do you think are embedded within this image? Curator: Well, at first glance, we see a commercial image designed to sell cigarettes. But look closer. The rock blackfish itself carries connotations of resilience, of dwelling in the hard, unforgiving spaces of the ocean. Think of the brand using this image; were they hoping to subtly convey those attributes to their customer base? Editor: So, it's about the symbolic power of the fish and associating it with the brand. Curator: Precisely. Also, consider the visual language here, particularly the nod to ukiyo-e, with its flat perspective and emphasis on natural subjects. This evokes a sense of the exotic and refined for the consumers in America. Are Allen & Ginter aligning their cigarettes with an idea of global culture and luxury through a style associated with faraway Japan? Editor: I never thought about that before, but that makes so much sense. It's connecting their brand to the image of global luxury and refined aesthetics. Curator: It also underscores a specific kind of cultural appropriation. By selectively referencing Japanese art, the company taps into its perceived aesthetic value without fully engaging with the culture itself. This was a period when the West was particularly fascinated and appropriating ideas from Japan. The print becomes an interesting window into this dynamic. What did you make of that dragonfly at the upper left? Editor: Wow. I missed that! That makes me wonder if there's also an underlying suggestion of the fisherman, and sport. Maybe these are all intended to create the idea of wealth, leisure and sophistication. This commercial image is richer than I initially thought! Curator: Yes, by using the image to suggest certain qualities they wanted consumers to ascribe to the cigarettes. It makes you realize how much the cultural associations enrich this print beyond just its face value.