Untitled (group of musicians) c. 1860 - 1880

Curator: This albumen silver print, "Untitled (group of musicians)," was captured by Willoughby Wallace Hooper. The photograph, part of the Harvard Art Museums collection, presents a posed ensemble of Indian musicians. Editor: The sepia tones lend a certain weight to the image. I'm immediately struck by the subjects' direct gazes, which feel both vulnerable and defiant. Curator: Hooper's work frequently documented Indian life and customs, particularly during his time in the British military. These images often circulated within colonial contexts, shaping Western perceptions of Indian culture. What do we make of that now? Editor: That is indeed a complex and fraught history. Looking at this image, I'm reminded of the power dynamics at play. How might these musicians have understood their representation within the photographer's frame, and the larger framework of colonial documentation? Curator: It’s critical to acknowledge those power dynamics. The photograph, while seemingly straightforward, is a product of a specific historical and political moment that needs to be unpacked, not ignored. Editor: Absolutely. Considering these aspects deepens our understanding of how this work operates and its significance today.