Al C. Hungler, Pitcher, Sioux City Corn Huskers, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1889

Editor: This is a baseball card from 1889, featuring Al C. Hungler, a pitcher for the Sioux City Corn Huskers. It's a photographic print, presumably part of the "Old Judge" series for Old Judge Cigarettes. The sepia tone gives it such a dated feel, doesn't it? How do you read this image, purely as a visual object? Curator: Stripped of its commercial context, the image presents an interesting study in contrasts. Consider the pose: static, almost theatrical. Yet, the gesture suggests latent energy, a potential release embodied in the poised ball. Observe the formal elements—the geometric simplicity of his uniform against the vaguely mottled background. Editor: It’s a very plain image, like a mug shot or something. Why are there such stark differences? Curator: This duality, or rather the formal juxtaposition of the still figure set in what almost appears to be mid-pitch, amplifies the piece's compositional tension, does it not? The lines and shapes almost make it seem unfinished; it feels unbalanced, drawing attention to the stark whiteness and uniform shapes as it almost contrasts against his more rugged stance. What sort of significance could you suppose the image is drawing in these contrasts? Editor: I see that it sort of reflects tension to give the impression of momentum with very few lines! So the photo’s stillness might amplify the dynamic energy a baseball pitcher puts forth, instead of diminishing it? I’ll have to mull that over. Thanks! Curator: Indeed, viewing art in its forms helps refine one's understanding of what's depicted. This sort of attention to a thing's qualities will open doors for us to many other artists of our time.