Untitled (dog jumping over hurdle on residential street) c. 1948

Curator: Here we have an intriguing image from the Harvard Art Museums, an untitled photograph by Jack Gould. It depicts a dog jumping over a hurdle on what looks like a typical residential street. Editor: It feels like a memory, doesn’t it? Slightly surreal, like a dream half-remembered. The inverted tones give it a ghostly quality. Curator: Indeed. The photographic negative transforms the familiar into something uncanny. The composition also speaks volumes about suburban life in the mid-20th century. Editor: I love how the everyday is elevated. A kid, a dog, a jump. It’s simple, but it evokes such a strong feeling of nostalgic longing. It makes you wonder about the relationship between people and their pets. Curator: Absolutely. Gould captures a moment of shared joy and companionship. The image really highlights the social and cultural importance of pets in our lives. Editor: It’s a sweet snapshot of freedom and playfulness. Leaves me feeling strangely content.