Untitled (large group of women at tea) 1949

This photograph of a large group of women at tea was made by Robert Burian, but when exactly, we don’t know. The image is black and white, which already sets a particular kind of scene, one that's both historical and a little dreamlike. Look at the table laden with goodies in the foreground and how the women are positioned in the background. It’s like a stage set, and they're all performers in it. What I'm drawn to is how Burian manages to capture so much with so little. The photograph has this kind of grainy texture, almost like it's been scrubbed, which gives everything a softened, nostalgic feel. The women’s hats are these soft halos which lend the figures a dreamy quality. The lighting, too, plays a big part; it’s soft and even, almost theatrical, which makes me think of Edgar Degas who often played with lighting to create atmosphere. There's something about the way this photograph is composed that feels very personal, a memory or a feeling rather than a straightforward depiction of an event.