Untitled (young woman with three adults at ball) c. 1950

Curator: This is an untitled photograph by John Howell showing a young woman with three adults at what seems to be a ball. The photograph measures 10.16 by 12.7 centimeters. Editor: The composition is quite formal, almost staged. The figures are evenly spaced, creating a balanced but somewhat rigid feel, wouldn't you say? Curator: Indeed. The formality perhaps speaks to the social dynamics at play. Consider the labor involved in the production of the garments, the textiles themselves, and the consumption patterns of the upper class reflected in this social event. Editor: I am more drawn to the interplay of light and shadow. The inverted tones create an eerie quality. Did Howell use any unusual techniques in processing the negative? Curator: We don't have specific details on Howell's darkroom practices, but the effect certainly emphasizes the constructed nature of the image, and of social identity itself. Editor: I see that now. Each element contributes to an overall sense of performance. Curator: It is interesting to consider the performance and the socioeconomic context. Editor: Yes, it's a complex image of a specific time and place.