Untitled (boys next to bathtubs and sinks) c. 1950

Editor: This is a gelatin silver print by Jack Gould, titled "Untitled (boys next to bathtubs and sinks)." The composition, with its stark contrasts and repeating forms of tubs and sinks, is really striking. What do you see in terms of its structure? Curator: The geometric interplay is compelling. Note how Gould uses the orthogonal lines of the room to create a grid, disrupted by the curves of the bathtubs. The tonal range, from solid white to deep gray, flattens the image, emphasizing surface over depth. Editor: It almost feels abstract, despite the subject matter. What effect does that have, do you think? Curator: By minimizing depth, Gould invites us to focus on the relationships between shapes and forms, rather than a narrative interpretation. It's a study in contrasts: organic versus geometric, light versus dark. A fascinating exercise in pure visuality. Editor: That's a completely different way of looking at it than I would have on my own. Thanks! Curator: Indeed, it’s about seeing beyond the representational, to the very essence of the visual language.