Untitled (two men working on airplane) c. 1950

Curator: The Harvard Art Museums present this photograph by C. Bennette Moore, “Untitled (two men working on airplane).” It’s a striking black-and-white image, about 4x5 inches. Editor: It has a strangely optimistic feel. The negative image gives it a ghostly quality, but the men seem proud, almost glowing, as they work. It’s a tender image. Curator: I agree. There's a strong sense of camaraderie, the bond between them evident in their shared purpose and relaxed posture. The airplane itself takes on a symbolic weight, representing progress and collective ambition. Editor: Exactly! The aircraft becomes almost an extension of their bodies, a symbol of their dreams taking flight. This work embodies that post-war spirit, where everything seemed possible. Curator: It’s the promise of the future, made real in the hands of these men. Editor: A compelling, hopeful vision, rendered even more potent by its inverted, almost dreamlike quality.