Plate 25, from the Fans of the Period series (N7) for Allen & Ginter Cigarettes Brands 1889

Editor: This is Plate 25 from the "Fans of the Period" series, made in 1889 by Allen & Ginter for cigarette cards. It’s a print, part of their graphic art collection. The lady’s hat is just so elaborate, with all those plumes! What are your initial thoughts when you look at this print? Curator: From a formal perspective, the print exhibits a fascinating interplay of line and color. The delicate hatching that defines the woman's face and clothing contrasts sharply with the bold, flat planes of color in her hat and fan. Notice how the composition relies heavily on the diagonal thrust of her gaze and the implied movement of the fan, creating a dynamic tension within the confined space of the card. The carefully considered placement of text below serves to ground the image and balance the overall design. Editor: That's a different take! I was mostly seeing the Japonisme influence, with the fan and the simplified forms. But you’re right, the linework is really delicate when you look closer. Does that tension contribute to its success as an image? Curator: Precisely. It’s the calculated juxtaposition of these elements—the tension between line and color, flatness and depth—that elevates it beyond mere illustration and gives it its aesthetic interest. Allen & Ginter were masters of manipulating visual space within a small frame. How else do you perceive it? Editor: I didn't really think about how all those things interact together. I was seeing separate elements of Ukiyo-e meeting the gilded age, but you’ve put all of it in another perspective. Curator: And you introduced valuable insights, leading us towards better, more nuanced appreciation of this visual language! Thank you.