Untitled (frozen pie) c. 1950

Robert Burian created this untitled silver gelatin print, now held in the Harvard Art Museums. At first glance, the composition captures a stark contrast between the sharp, angular lines of the pie box and the soft, organic curves of the pie itself. The monochrome palette flattens the image, emphasizing the textures and shapes over color. Notice how the box is strategically opened, presenting the pie as both a product and an object of desire, framed within its packaging. The arrangement suggests a commentary on consumerism and the commodification of homemade goods. The pie, traditionally a symbol of comfort and domesticity, is here presented as a mass-produced item, its 'freshness' and 'readiness' highlighted by the industrial design of the box. The shadows and reflections add depth, playing with perception and challenging our understanding of authenticity versus artificiality. Ultimately, the photograph invites us to consider how everyday objects can be recontextualized through art to destabilize our established values and expectations.