Burdock, 2nd Base, Boston, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887

Editor: Here we have a print from 1887 by Goodwin & Company titled "Burdock, 2nd Base, Boston, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes", currently at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The athlete, perhaps baseball player, is standing in front of a blurred background; his bright uniform and rigid posture caught my attention. What aspects of its structure and composition do you find most compelling? Curator: Immediately, I'm drawn to the stark contrast in coloration. The tension between the muted backdrop and the vivid, almost clashing reds and blues of Burdock’s uniform creates a visual discord. Consider, too, the linearity of the composition – the vertical bat juxtaposed against the athlete’s angled stance. It seems carefully arranged to lead the eye. Editor: So, you're focused on the purely visual aspects of the piece? Is there any way to decipher meaning beyond that? Curator: Precisely! Semiotics, for example, encourages us to investigate how meaning is generated through signs. How does the athlete’s clothing speak to the cultural coding inherent within that image? The name "Old Judge Cigarettes" and its link to the portrait… Are these compositional elements in disharmony, indicative of a more considerable tension? Or do they suggest commercialization of a specific ideal of the late 19th century? Editor: So, we might see the vibrant baseball player not just as a sportsman, but also as a tool for advertising. That gives me something new to think about in terms of the structural relations. Curator: Absolutely! Reflect on how your appreciation shifts when focusing purely on formal structure versus a semiotic reading. The essence of the work remains—it is our perspective that evolves. Editor: Fascinating; I didn’t think a baseball card could open so many doors. Thanks for sharing! Curator: Indeed! By questioning its design, this everyday artefact leads us to interrogate visual form and historical messaging in advertising and media.