Untitled (seated child trying on hats in store) c. 1950

Editor: This is an untitled photograph by Jack Gould, showing a child in a store trying on hats. It's a little disorienting because it's a negative image. What do you see in this piece? Curator: The hat, as a symbol, is potent. Historically, it denotes social status, profession, even personality. Here, the child’s act of trying on hats is an exploration of identity itself. What does she imagine for herself? Editor: So, the hats represent potential futures? Curator: Precisely. The store setting, a space of commerce, adds another layer. Is this the commodification of dreams, perhaps? The photograph captures a moment of both innocence and societal shaping. What do you think? Editor: That makes me think about the pressure on young girls, even then, to perform certain roles. I appreciate that new point of view!