Untitled (two boys with roses on lapels seated on bench in studio) c. 1940

Curator: Here we see a work by John Deusing, titled "Untitled (two boys with roses on lapels seated on bench in studio)," currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. It's a silver gelatin print with dimensions of about 5 by 4 inches. Editor: The high contrast gives it an ethereal, almost ghostly quality, which is intriguing. What catches my eye is how the composition guides you right to the figures, highlighting their expressions. Curator: The roses on their lapels speak volumes, don't they? Roses often symbolize love, secrecy, or beauty—the contrast between the boys' formal attire and their youth creates a poignant tension. Editor: I notice the stark geometry of the background windows juxtaposed with the organic softness of the flowers. It's a fascinating interplay between order and nature. Curator: Exactly. It hints at a transition, maybe from childhood to adulthood, innocence to knowledge. Symbols layered upon symbols. Editor: It all comes together to create a moment frozen in time, open to so many interpretations.