Untitled (people dressed as king, queen, and court) c. 1950

Curator: What a fascinating, almost theatrical tableau. Editor: It is. This is C. Bennette Moore's "Untitled (people dressed as king, queen, and court)," held at the Harvard Art Museums. It's roughly 8 by 10 inches. Curator: The regalia feels so important here. It's as if these costumes carry their own power, eclipsing the wearers. The ornate garments, the rigid postures... they conjure a sense of societal performance. Editor: Precisely! Consider the historical context—such displays of power were critical in solidifying social structures. This staged formality underscores how much these roles were constructed, maintained through spectacle. Curator: It speaks to the enduring human need to create symbols of authority. Even staged, the imagery resonates. Editor: Indeed. It’s a potent reminder of how we imbue objects with significance, shaping our understanding of power dynamics even today.