Untitled (McLellan's store interior) c. 1940

Curator: This is John Deusing's "Untitled (McLellan's store interior)", a photograph housed at the Harvard Art Museums, measuring approximately 8 by 10 inches. What strikes you first? Editor: The high contrast immediately casts a stark, almost ghostly mood. Look at the regimented rows of merchandise. One immediately thinks of the labor needed to produce and display all these items. Curator: Indeed, the geometric composition is quite deliberate. The receding lines of the counters, punctuated by those hat-like light fixtures, create a strong sense of depth and order. It's a study in perspective. Editor: And a study in consumerism! What materials are on display? It's hard to tell precisely, but one can imagine the variety and the global reach of their production. Curator: You're right. The photograph's strength lies in how it captures that tension between visual harmony and the underlying mechanics of commerce. The semiotic weight of the image invites reflection on our culture of consumption. Editor: It makes you consider the exploitation and environmental impact. Food for thought, indeed.