Untitled (woman in swimsuit, seated and leaning back) c. 1950s

Curator: Wow, it's like stepping into a dream—ethereal, almost haunting. Editor: Here we have an untitled photograph by John Deusing, part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. Its subject is a woman in a swimsuit, seated and leaning back. Curator: The inverted tones throw me off at first, but then there’s something powerful about seeing the light and shadow flipped. It subverts expectation in a fascinating way. Editor: Deusing's work invites us to consider the photographic medium itself. The negative becomes the art object, challenging traditional notions of representation and beauty. How do the socio-political elements of the time factor into your reaction? Curator: Well, there is an element of playful empowerment in the model’s pose, which in the right context could represent a break from more repressive norms. Editor: I appreciate that perspective. Ultimately, this piece keeps you guessing. It is like a half-remembered song you can't quite name, but feels like revelation.