Untitled (woman and girl posing in studio, woman has bible and rosary) c. 1940

Editor: Here we have an untitled photograph by John Deusing depicting a woman and girl in a studio setting. I'm really struck by the contrast and how it almost feels like a memory fading, a ghost from the past, with the woman holding a bible and rosary beads. What do you see in this piece? Curator: It feels like a snapshot of faith and family, doesn't it? The stark contrast, for me, heightens the emotional weight—like peering into a forgotten chapter. The rosary and bible offer clues, inviting us to consider the role of religion in their lives, while the studio setting hints at a constructed reality, a performance almost. Does it make you wonder what story they hoped to convey? Editor: Absolutely! I hadn't thought about the performance aspect, very interesting! Thanks so much. Curator: My pleasure! It's all about seeing the stories woven in the light and shadow, isn’t it?