Untitled (two men wearing hats) c. 1960

Curator: This intriguing silver gelatin print, "Untitled (two men wearing hats)," is by John Howell, though the date remains unknown. It's quite small, only about 4 by 5 inches. The image is a negative. Editor: My first thought is theatre, or perhaps a masquerade ball. The composition has a staged quality, and the lighting is stark. Curator: The suits are striking, aren't they? Note the pinstripes and the double-breasted cut. It speaks to a certain class, a performance of wealth and status, which would have involved multiple layers of labor and textile production. Editor: Absolutely. And look at the women in the background, their faces obscured, almost spectral. It makes me wonder about the social dynamics at play, the gaze and who controls it, particularly within the context of portraiture at that time. Curator: Good point. This image, with its unusual reversal, throws into question the very act of seeing and being seen, especially concerning gender and class. It’s a powerful statement. Editor: Yes, it challenges us to consider whose stories are told and how they are presented in the grand narrative of history. A unique, and somewhat unnerving piece.