Untitled (two children in cowboy outfits) c. 1940

Editor: This vintage photograph by John Deusing captures two children dressed as cowboys, their hands clasped in what seems like a solemn agreement. What symbols do you see at play here? Curator: The cowboy is a potent figure, especially for children. He signifies self-reliance, adventure, and a certain untamed spirit. In holding hands, are they enacting a pact, entering into this symbolic world together? Editor: That’s a really interesting point. It speaks to the power of shared narratives in childhood. Thanks! Curator: Indeed. It also reminds us of how these symbols shape our collective memory and aspirations, generation after generation.