Untitled (woman measuring chimp) c. 1951

Curator: This intriguing gelatin silver print by Jack Gould depicts a woman measuring a chimpanzee. It's simply titled "Untitled (woman measuring chimp)" and is part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: My first impression is just how unsettling this image is. The scale is so small, yet the implications are huge. The backdrop feels like a circus, heightening the sense of exploitation. Curator: The act of measuring carries a lot of symbolic weight. It can signify scientific inquiry, control, or even a bizarre form of affection. Given the circus-like setting, I lean toward control. Editor: Absolutely. The chimpanzee's posture, with one arm raised, reads as compliance. It's a potent visual metaphor for the power dynamics between humans and animals, and how we impose our standards onto other species. Curator: What’s interesting is that, photographically, Gould captures this moment with a straightforward gaze. There's no dramatic lighting or composition, which makes the act itself all the more stark. Editor: It raises questions about our perception of animals and how we justify their exploitation. It's a reminder of our responsibility towards them, something we still grapple with today. Curator: Yes, the woman's act is strange and unsettling, but the work asks us to consider the implications of such actions and their broader cultural context. Editor: It’s a strange image that feels very much of its time, while also remaining incredibly relevant today.