Secretary of the Navy, United States, from the Naval Flags series (N17) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1886 - 1891

Editor: So, this is "Secretary of the Navy, United States," a print made between 1886 and 1891 by Allen & Ginter. It's part of a series of cigarette cards, found at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It's…well, the composition feels quite unusual, almost like a collage with its rigid lines. What do you see in it from an art historical perspective? Curator: Indeed, the composition reveals much. Note how the portrait, framed by the decorative border, sits beneath the naval flag. Observe the calculated use of geometric forms: the circular frame contrasting with the flag's sharp angles. These juxtapositions, what do they suggest? Editor: I suppose it's creating visual interest. It feels almost... graphic. But how do we interpret that tension? Curator: Consider the print's materiality. It is not a painting, but a mass-produced print, a medium intended for widespread circulation. The medium's very nature inflects its purpose: to be disseminated, collected, consumed. And reflect upon the use of the color palette: its subtle hues create both balance and visual organization. Do you see the anchor that holds the piece together, aesthetically? Editor: Yes, now I notice how the lines of the gold circular rope frame, together with the naval symbols and blue hues, help to bind it all. And the way the portrait is framed as being on display like the naval flag! Curator: Precisely. Consider the interplay of form and function. This print encapsulates both visual delight and socio-political commentary. I was aiming to create a conversation using shapes and colors to display how popular and prolific printed matter was in that period. This helps tell the narrative and show the context from where such forms originated. Editor: I've never considered it that way before! It’s fascinating how deconstructing the visual elements reveals so much about its meaning and the creative intentions.