Untitled (portrait of two children) c. 1940

Editor: This is an untitled photograph by John Deusing, a portrait of two children. It strikes me as a somewhat haunting image because it is a negative. What are your impressions? Curator: The reversal of tones certainly contributes to that feeling. Consider how photographic portraits historically functioned as signifiers of social status and familial pride. But this subversion of the medium raises questions about accessibility and representation. Who had access to portraiture and how does the negative form challenge those power dynamics? Editor: That's an interesting way to look at it. So it's not just a portrait, but maybe a statement about who gets to be seen? Curator: Precisely. The very act of creating and displaying this photograph in negative could be read as a commentary on visibility and the politics of image-making itself. It highlights a certain social dynamic, doesn’t it? Editor: I never would have considered that! Thanks for sharing your expertise. Curator: My pleasure. It’s fascinating to see how art reflects, and sometimes challenges, social norms.