Untitled (lion and trainer facing off inside large cage) c. 1950

Curator: This gelatin silver print comes to us from Jack Gould. It’s an untitled work depicting a lion and trainer facing off inside a large cage. Editor: It's stark. The reversal of tones gives it such a heightened sense of drama and anxiety. The cage feels much more like a prison. Curator: Exactly. There's a power dynamic at play here, a commentary perhaps on the exploitation inherent in the circus and how it mirrors broader societal structures. Editor: The lion’s posture is everything. The trainer's turned back, in contrast, suggests a denial of the animal's inherent power, even in captivity. Curator: The lack of a specific date makes it challenging to pin down its precise socio-historical context. Yet, its themes resonate powerfully across time. Editor: It reminds us that symbols of dominance and control persist, even when the players change. Food for thought indeed.