Untitled (two men, one playing a pungi) c. 1860 - 1880

Curator: Willoughby Wallace Hooper captured this fascinating, undated image at the Harvard Art Museums. It's titled "Untitled (two men, one playing a pungi)." Editor: My first impression is one of quiet dignity. The sepia tones give it a timeless feel, almost as if we're looking into a shared, yet intensely private moment. Curator: Note the deliberate composition. The artist employs a shallow depth of field, focusing our attention on the subjects and their immediate environment. The tonal range contributes to the overall solemnity. Editor: I'm struck by the textures, the rough weave of the bags, the smooth gourd of the pungi. It feels like an invitation to consider the materials of their lives and the simple music they make. Curator: Indeed. Hooper masterfully manipulates light to accentuate these textures and forms. Editor: It’s more than just a document; there’s a poetic sensibility at play here. I wonder what stories these men could tell?