Untitled (two portraits of baby) by John Deusing

Untitled (two portraits of baby) c. 1945

0:00
0:00

Dimensions: image: 12.7 x 17.78 cm (5 x 7 in.)

Copyright: CC0 1.0

Curator: Before us, we have John Deusing’s photograph, presently titled "Untitled (two portraits of baby)", housed here at the Harvard Art Museums. It presents, as the title suggests, a mirrored image of a baby, about 5 x 7 inches in size. Editor: My initial reaction is the unsettling juxtaposition of innocence and starkness; the inverted tones create an almost ghostly atmosphere. Curator: Indeed. The negative photographic process itself bears significant historical weight, suggesting the evolution of portraiture and the democratizing potential of photography in rendering likenesses. Editor: Yet the rigid framing and identical poses seem to negate individuality, almost objectifying the infant. Was this a common practice, to standardize childhood in such a way? Curator: Certainly, the act of photographing infants was becoming common. Such portraits become artifacts of a burgeoning middle class striving for social mobility and employing visual mediums to solidify their place. Editor: The visual polarity between subject and process here really gives pause. It prompts an investigation into the aesthetic and historical narratives embedded in this seemingly simple portrait. Curator: Yes, a compelling piece prompting questions about representation, technology, and the construction of identity.

Show more

Comments

No comments

Be the first to comment and join the conversation on the ultimate creative platform.