Untitled (man with cigarette) c. 1920s

Editor: This is "Untitled (man with cigarette)" by Strauss-Peyton, held at the Harvard Art Museums. The sitter's gaze and outfit are striking, but what is this image trying to tell us? Curator: This portrait, likely from the early 20th century, presents a carefully constructed masculinity. The ornate clothing, juxtaposed with the cigarette, speaks to a performance of identity. How does this image both reinforce and challenge societal expectations of men during that era? Editor: I never thought about it that way, but it definitely brings up interesting questions about gender and class. Curator: Exactly. The portrait becomes a site where power, privilege, and the very definition of masculinity are negotiated and displayed. Editor: It's incredible how much can be unpacked from a single image.