Untitled (men at banquet table holding oversized pretzel) 1950

Curator: Here we have an intriguing, untitled photograph by Jean Raeburn, currently residing in the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: What strikes me immediately is the sheer absurdity of it all—a bunch of suited men presenting this enormous pretzel like a trophy! Curator: Indeed. The pretzel itself takes on symbolic weight; its twisted form might signify the complexities of social ritual or perhaps the interconnectedness within this group. Editor: Or maybe it's just a really, really big snack! But seriously, there's a formal quality here that feels deliberately staged, almost performative. Curator: Precisely. The black and white tones contribute to a sense of timelessness, elevating this peculiar scene beyond a mere snapshot. Editor: I'm left wondering what the story is. Is this some kind of inside joke, or a commentary on something larger? Food for thought, literally! Curator: It certainly gives us pause. A simple image that encourages us to consider context and question the familiar. Editor: Maybe that's the best kind of art—the kind that leaves you both amused and slightly unsettled.