Untitled (Moore family at dinner table) c. 1940

Curator: This striking photograph, titled "Untitled (Moore family at dinner table)" by C. Bennette Moore, captures an intimate family gathering. Editor: The inverted tones give it an eerie, almost spectral quality, don't you think? It feels both present and distant, like a memory fading. Curator: Given the composition and the subjects, it's difficult not to consider this gathering within the context of African American family life and social structures. How the dinner table becomes a space for community. Editor: Absolutely. And notice the abundant floral arrangements—symbols of prosperity, togetherness, perhaps even a subtle nod to shared values and heritage. The table is laden. Curator: It raises questions about representation and the gaze. Who is documenting this moment, and what narratives are being constructed? What does it mean to capture such moments? Editor: Perhaps the flowers are also a memento mori, a reminder of the ephemeral nature of such gatherings and human connection. Curator: It definitely urges us to consider how we interpret visual representations of Black families. Editor: Ultimately, this image resonates with a complex blend of celebration and melancholy.