Untitled (woman sitting in chair in living room) c. 1960

Curator: This photograph, simply titled "Untitled (woman sitting in chair in living room)," is by C. Bennette Moore. It's part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: It feels like a still from a play, doesn't it? The way the light pools, the stagey backdrop...it's wonderfully artificial. Curator: It certainly evokes a constructed reality. The formality of the wood panelling clashes with the casual pose of the sitter. Editor: That chair! It's like a golden throne shrunk down for a doll. And her shoes! One pink, one not...delightfully rebellious. Curator: The image, measuring about 7 by 5 inches, allows a surprisingly intimate view into a domestic space. The objects on the shelves suggest a life well-lived, yet curated. Editor: I wonder what story she's rehearsing in her head. This photograph feels like the pause right before the curtain rises. Curator: The image invites us to consider the roles we perform and the spaces we inhabit. Editor: It’s a fascinating little snapshot of a life that could be real, or a beautifully crafted fiction.