Patrick "Pat" E. Dealy, Catcher, Washington Nationals, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887

This lithograph of Patrick "Pat" E. Dealy, catcher for the Washington Nationals, comes to us from the Old Judge series, printed in 1887 by Goodwin & Company. The striking image of Dealy reaching out to catch a ball is not just an image of sport, but a depiction of anticipation and readiness that is both primitive and deeply human. Consider, for example, how this echoes poses found in ancient Greek sculpture, where the body is poised in a moment of potential energy, forever awaiting the act. The tension in Dealy’s stance mirrors the emotional pull we feel when facing uncertainty. The gesture of reaching, the hand extended, is a motif that recurs throughout art history, from religious iconography to secular portraiture, each time carrying the weight of human connection and vulnerability. The posture of Dealy—eyes fixed, arm outstretched—becomes a vessel for our own anxieties and expectations. This image, seemingly simple, engages viewers on a subconscious level, tapping into our collective memory and universal human experiences.