Untitled (man holding cat in boxing ring) 1946

Curator: This intriguing image is an untitled work by Jack Gould, held in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: Well, right off the bat, it feels whimsical, like a vintage dream. The tension between the man and the feisty cat is so palpable. Curator: It's a silver gelatin print, which speaks to the history of photography and its ability to capture fleeting moments. I am curious about the social context, the relationship between humans and animals— Editor: Or perhaps the cat is the fighter and the man, his manager? He’s even got boxing gloves on! It’s all so wonderfully absurd, that's what I love about it. Curator: And the way the light interacts with the surface—the materiality really creates a mood... Editor: Agreed. There's definitely a story here, isn't there? Curator: Absolutely. This image offers us a glimpse into a moment. Editor: Yes, and it makes you wonder what happened right before, and what will happen next.