"13 yrs old. April 14, 1933" 14 - 1933

This photograph, inscribed "13 yrs old. April 14, 1933", presents a study in monochromatic tones and geometric forms. The subject, a young boy, is centered, holding a rectangular cake emblazoned with the name "Edward." The composition emphasizes the interplay between light and shadow, which defines the boy's features and the architectural backdrop. Note how the rigid lines of the house siding contrast with the soft curves of the cake's decorative trim and the boy's clothing. This opposition generates a visual tension, a subtle destabilization of formal expectations. The photograph’s muted palette evokes a sense of nostalgia, while the clear inscription anchors the image in a specific time. It freezes a moment in the subject's life, prompting reflections on identity, aging, and the human relationship with time itself. The inscription serves as a structural element, framing the image with historical context and challenging its reading as a purely aesthetic object.