Untitled (Robert Bishop) c. 1952

Curator: Here we have George Platt Lynes's photograph, "Untitled (Robert Bishop)". The gelatin silver print, measuring about 24 by 19.5 centimeters, is part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: It’s all mood, isn’t it? That echoing archway, the pensive figure... it’s like stepping into a dream. Curator: Lynes was deeply involved with the surrealist circles and he used a very staged approach in his photography, creating a world that was not quite real. Note the staged quality of the light, and the texture on the wall. Editor: True, there’s a theatricality to the light and shadow that does feel constructed. Still, the vulnerability of the figure… it’s quite affecting. Curator: Absolutely, but it's important to note that there is also the labor involved to create the final print, its manipulation in the dark room, and its eventual circulation. Editor: Right, which almost feels like a violation of that intimate moment. Interesting, isn't it? Curator: Indeed, there are many layers to unpack. Editor: Definitely.