William T. "Red" Hanrahan, Shortstop, Minneapolis, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This is a baseball card of William T. "Red" Hanrahan, a shortstop for Minneapolis, produced by Goodwin & Company around 1888 as part of the Old Judge Cigarettes series. The sepia tone creates a sense of nostalgia, emphasizing the textures of the player's uniform and the rough surface of the card itself. The composition is carefully structured. The subject, Hanrahan, is positioned in a dynamic pose, seemingly caught in the act of fielding a ball. This arrangement not only conveys action but also activates the space within the small frame, directing our gaze along diagonal lines from the ground up to his expectant hands. Note how the backdrop fades into soft focus, subtly highlighting the subject against a blurred environment. It's a fascinating interplay between clarity and ambiguity, representation and abstraction. This card transcends mere portraiture; it's a study in form, capturing the essence of athleticism within the constraints of commercial art.