Farrell, 2nd Base, Baltimore Orioles, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This small photographic print, produced by Goodwin & Company around 1888, presents Farrell, a 2nd baseman for the Baltimore Orioles. He stands with his hands on his hips, a gesture that speaks of confidence and self-assuredness. This pose, with hands assertively placed on the waist, echoes through centuries, appearing in classical sculptures of triumphant athletes and Renaissance portraits of powerful rulers. The gesture signifies control, dominance, and a readiness to act, reflecting a deep-seated human desire for agency and recognition. Think of the ancient Greek statues, their athletes embodying physical perfection and competitive spirit. The shift from god-like and aristocratic figures to a baseball player is significant. Here, the motif descends into the everyday. Yet, the pose retains its primal power, engaging us with a deep-seated sense of admiration for strength and skill. We see reflected in Farrell not just an athlete, but an icon of human potential, perpetually reborn in our collective consciousness.