Untitled (man lying in open casket) c. 1920

Curator: This silver gelatin print by Hamblin Studio captures a man lying in an open casket. Its small scale lends a surprising intimacy. What stands out to you initially? Editor: The stark contrast between the dark casket and the bright flowers creates a really jarring visual experience. It feels almost ghostly, like a memory fading away. Curator: The photograph was likely taken during a wake or funeral service. These images historically served as mourning tools and became integrated into personal and collective narratives around death. Editor: Considering the context of death and mourning, I wonder about the racial politics at play. Was this open casket a form of displaying dignity, a defiant act against societal erasure or violence? Curator: That's a critical point. The act of memorializing, especially within marginalized communities, often carries a powerful message of resistance. Editor: It makes you think about who gets to be remembered and how, doesn't it? Curator: Absolutely. Understanding its social history allows us to unpack its complexities. Editor: It's definitely a photograph that lingers in your mind.