Untitled (portrait of a man in uniform smoking) 1944

Editor: This is an untitled photograph by John Deusing, a portrait of a man in uniform smoking a cigarette. It's striking, almost ghostly, in its high contrast. What's your read on this piece? Curator: It’s a fascinating image, isn't it? The uniform immediately situates the subject within a particular social framework - the military. The act of smoking, though seemingly casual, carries a lot of cultural weight, especially when juxtaposed with the formal attire. What do you make of the power dynamics at play here? Editor: I hadn't thought about power dynamics. Maybe the cigarette is a symbol of defiance, a small act of rebellion within a rigid system. Curator: Precisely. Or perhaps it's a performance of masculinity, a way to project an image of coolness and control. The photograph itself, as a medium, also plays into this. Who is controlling the image, and for what purpose? Editor: That gives me a lot to consider. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure! It's all about perspective, and the stories we tell ourselves about the past.