Untitled (doctor examining chest of baby) c. 1950

Curator: This is an untitled image by Jack Gould, showing a doctor examining a baby’s chest. Editor: It evokes a sense of quiet domesticity and tender care, almost like a snapshot of a bygone era, but the negative image gives it an eerie sense of unreality. Curator: The image points towards the history of healthcare, and access to it, particularly for marginalized communities. The power dynamics are really present. The doctor, the parents, and the child—all situated within a complex framework. Editor: I see the stethoscope as a potent symbol, a conduit of health and knowledge but also a barrier, a tool that mediates touch and intimacy in this vulnerable moment. The child's direct gaze feels particularly intense. Curator: Absolutely. And when we consider how representations of medical care have historically been used to reinforce stereotypes or power structures, this image invites deeper reflection. Editor: This makes me think about how a simple scene is layered with cultural memory and symbolic tension, even though the image is so small.