James Francis "Pud" Galvin, Pitcher, Pittsburgh, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887

This photographic print of James Francis "Pud" Galvin, a pitcher for Pittsburgh, was produced by Goodwin & Company in 1887 as part of a series for Old Judge Cigarettes. The image, mass-produced through photography and printing, was distributed as a commercial product. This signaled a shift in how images were made and circulated. Before photography, images were typically crafted by hand, making them unique and often precious. But with the rise of industrial image-making, pictures became much more accessible. Photography also brought a new level of realism and detail. Unlike paintings or drawings, photographs could capture a moment in time with great accuracy. This had a profound impact on art and culture, as it challenged traditional notions of representation and authorship. It also brought with it the question of labor and value, as a photograph didn't require the same level of skill or time investment as a painting, and could be reproduced endlessly. So, the next time you look at a photograph, consider the complex processes and social contexts that shape its meaning, and its departure from traditional art objects.