William Frederick "Bill" Krieg, 1st Base, St. Joseph Clay Eaters, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1888

This baseball card from the Old Judge series, circa 1850-1950 by Goodwin & Company, depicts William Frederick "Bill" Krieg poised with a baseball. His stance, hands open and ready, embodies a gesture we've seen echoed through millennia – a receptivity. Think of the open palms in ancient Roman sculptures, symbols of offering and supplication. Or, consider the Christian iconography of the Annunciation, where Mary receives the divine word. The gesture is a powerful force, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. Krieg’s stance takes on a new, secular meaning, of athleticism, but taps into this same tradition of openness. We see the evolution of a motif – from religious and ceremonial contexts to the baseball field, constantly evolving. As it has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings it maintains a connection to our shared emotional experiences.