Catcher 1875 - 1876

Ott and Brewer crafted this parian ware sculpture, "Catcher," around 1876, amidst a burgeoning American fascination with baseball. The figure embodies idealized masculinity, characteristic of late 19th-century portrayals of athletes. Yet, this sculpture also exists within complex socio-economic layers. Parian ware, with its resemblance to marble, was an aspirational material, and the figure's smooth, white surface speaks to notions of purity and heroism often associated with sporting figures. This idealization contrasts with the realities of the working-class athletes who often played baseball at this time. "Catcher" captures a pivotal moment in American cultural history, reflecting both the celebration of athleticism and the underlying social dynamics of the era. It invites us to consider who is included, and excluded, from the narrative of the ‘American hero’.