Untitled (portrait of woman wearing necklace) c. 1950

Curator: This is an untitled portrait of a woman wearing a necklace, by John Howell. It's a gelatin silver print, quite small, about 5 by 4 inches. The subject’s features are rendered in striking contrasts of light and shadow. Editor: The high contrast evokes a sense of haunting, almost as if the subject is caught between worlds, or perhaps is a stand-in for the “spectral woman” trope, where women are rendered as haunting figures or ghosts. Curator: I see what you mean. The formal qualities—the stark tonal range, the smooth gradations—certainly contribute to that mood. Howell’s masterful use of light to define form is undeniably captivating. Editor: The necklace, almost like a noose, speaks to the constraints placed on women. The rigid societal expectations and lack of freedom which may be a stand in for the "spectral woman". Curator: That's an interesting reading. I find the negative space around the head quite compelling. It forces the eye to focus on the sitter's face, and the delicate earrings. Editor: It makes me wonder about her story, her place in society, and the gaze that seeks to both define and confine her. Curator: It’s a testament to Howell’s skill that a photograph can evoke such different, yet equally valid interpretations. Editor: Indeed, a powerful testament to the dialogue art can inspire across perspectives.