Untitled (Cardinal baseball player tagging another player out) 1961

Editor: Here we have Jack Gould’s “Untitled (Cardinal baseball player tagging another player out)". It’s quite small. The photo captures a pivotal moment, but the tan tones dominating the composition give it a rather neutral feel. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Note how the photographer has framed the baseball diamond. The converging lines of the base path create a powerful diagonal thrust. Do you see how the bodies are arranged? The tagger is angled slightly down, pressing against the receding form of the sliding player. Editor: Yes, the lines definitely create tension! Curator: Indeed. This tension, between the geometry and the athletic action, gives the photograph its dynamism, despite the muted color palette. A clever formal interplay, wouldn’t you agree? Editor: I see that now; it's more complex than I first thought. Thanks!