John Sabatine and Father-in-Law, Martins Creek, Pennsylvania 1977

Larry Fink's photograph captures John Sabatine and his father-in-law in Martins Creek, Pennsylvania. At its heart, the image is a study in familial intimacy and connection, framed through the symbolic weight of touch and gaze. Notice the older man, in his bow tie and patterned shirt, looking up at the younger with affection. Their heads are close, almost touching. This echo of the “Ephata” gesture, commonly seen in depictions of Jesus healing the deaf-mute, transcends the religious and transforms into a shared, humanistic moment of familial warmth. Consider how this mirroring has evolved. From ancient religious contexts to everyday human interactions, it resurfaces, a testament to our collective subconscious. It is a powerful, cyclical progression, evolving and taking on new meanings in different historical contexts, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level.