Untitled (two birds cockfighting) 1951

Curator: This gelatin silver print by Jack Gould, housed here at the Harvard Art Museums, captures a disturbing scene. It’s simply titled "Untitled (two birds cockfighting)." Editor: The instant shock is the implied violence, sure, but something about the bleak staging and the voyeuristic angle makes it even more unsettling, doesn’t it? Curator: Indeed. The cockfight motif has been used for centuries, often symbolizing aggression, dominance, and even political struggles. The cock, in many cultures, represents masculinity and power. Editor: The backdrop—that grimy brick wall and the figure lurking in the corner—feels like a pressure cooker. It's a grim, intimate theatre of cruelty. Curator: The low vantage point and almost clinical lighting remove any sense of heroism or valor from the fighting birds. The framing emphasizes the brutality and underlying symbolism. Editor: It really sticks with you, doesn’t it? Leaving a residue of disquiet long after you've moved on.