Untitled (hospital patients in wheelchairs) c. 1950

Editor: This is Jack Gould's striking photograph, "Untitled (hospital patients in wheelchairs)." It's a small gelatin silver print from the Harvard Art Museums, and it feels incredibly poignant to me. What catches your eye about it? Curator: The inversion of light and shadow definitely heightens that feeling, doesn't it? It’s as if Gould is showing us a kind of x-ray of societal anxieties about aging and care. I'm particularly drawn to the orderly rows and the stoic figures. Does the image evoke any particular emotions or memories for you? Editor: Absolutely, there's a stillness, but also a sense of waiting. It makes me think about the unseen stories behind each individual. The composition and the negative effect add such a distinctive voice. Curator: Indeed. It's a powerful reminder that even in moments of apparent quiet, there's a rich tapestry of life unfolding. It’s been a real treat to see this photograph through your eyes.