Untitled (people sitting on chairs on deck of steamboat) c. 1950

Editor: This is an intriguing, undated photograph by Jack Gould, housed at the Harvard Art Museums. It depicts people relaxing on the deck of a steamboat. The composition is very horizontal, with the lines of the deck and chairs. What stands out to you? Curator: The photograph's strength lies in its tonal range. Observe the stark contrast between the light-drenched deck and the shadowy recesses beneath the awning. This contrast creates depth and accentuates the figures’ forms. Notice how the photographer uses light to define the geometric shapes of the chairs and the architectural details of the steamboat. Editor: So you're saying the light and shadow are more important than, say, the people themselves? Curator: Precisely. The figures are secondary to the formal arrangement of light and shape. Their presence contributes to the overall composition, but it's the interplay of light and shadow that truly animates the scene. Editor: I see what you mean. I was so focused on who they were, I didn't notice the abstract qualities. Curator: Considering this photograph through a formalist lens certainly offers a fresh perspective.