Untitled (group portrait including nun) 1938

Curator: This silver gelatin print by Durette Studio presents an intriguing group portrait, including a nun, its date currently unknown. The interplay of light and shadow is quite striking. Editor: Indeed; the stark contrast, the high key, gives the composition a dreamlike, almost unsettling quality. It's as if the subjects are emerging from the negative space. Curator: Consider the materials used: silver gelatin prints democratized photography, making portraiture accessible beyond the elite. Durette Studio likely served a diverse clientele. Editor: And the careful arrangement - the nun centrally positioned, anchoring the composition. What symbolic weight do you ascribe to that? Curator: The nun's presence speaks to the intersection of faith and community. The photograph becomes a record of social relationships within a specific context. Editor: Perhaps. But the formal qualities, that strong central figure set against the symmetrical arrangement, give the photograph an undeniable power that transcends its social context. Curator: I appreciate the visual, but I think further research into the studio's clientele and the socio-economic background of the subjects could be revealing. Editor: Point taken. Regardless, Durette Studio has created something visually arresting. Curator: It is a worthwhile piece for us to consider.