Henry Francis "Hank" O'Day, Pitcher, Washington Nationals, from the Old Judge series (N172) for Old Judge Cigarettes 1887

This photographic print of Henry Francis "Hank" O'Day, a pitcher for the Washington Nationals, was created around 1887 by Goodwin & Company as part of the Old Judge Cigarettes series. O'Day is captured holding a baseball, his hands clasped in front of him in a gesture of both readiness and restraint. This hand gesture finds echoes throughout art history. We see it in depictions of Christian saints holding sacred objects, or even in ancient Roman portraiture, signifying power held in check. The motif evolves: in Renaissance painting, a similar gesture may denote quiet contemplation, a prelude to action. Here, in O'Day's portrait, the gesture takes on a modern, secular meaning, symbolizing the potential energy of an athlete. It speaks to a shift in cultural values, the rise of sport, and the heroization of the sportsman. This simple pose encapsulates an entire era, revealing how universal symbols are continuously repurposed.