Untitled (man smoking next to display for Russian cigarettes) c. 1950

Curator: Here we have an untitled photograph by Jack Gould, currently held at the Harvard Art Museums, depicting a man smoking next to a display for Russian cigarettes. Editor: The mood is striking, almost noir. The contrast creates sharp edges, making the whole scene feel staged, like a film set. Curator: Indeed, the photograph captures a specific moment in time. Observe the "Give to your Greater St. Louis War Chest" poster behind the window. This detail points to the social context, most likely during the Second World War, which impacted every aspect of life, including advertisement. Editor: And look at the cigarette advertisement itself. It seems hand-crafted, almost folksy. The Russian Cigarettes sign suggests the commodification of culture, a fusion of national identity and market interests. Curator: Precisely. The photograph encapsulates a convergence of local business, national sentiment, and global conflict within a single frame. Editor: Seeing this image really underlines the tangible nature of wartime propaganda and how businesses adapted their products to the war effort.