Untitled (woman looking in three-way mirror, fixing necklace) c. 1950

Curator: This photograph, simply titled "Untitled (woman looking in three-way mirror, fixing necklace)," is by Jack Gould, and part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. It strikes me as very… theatrical. Editor: Yes, almost staged, yet it’s the everyday act of self-adornment. The repetition of the woman's image, multiplied by the mirror, gives a sense of performance. It raises questions about identity, and how we construct it for ourselves, or for others. Curator: Absolutely. The negative format adds a ghostly, ethereal quality. It's like peering into a memory, or perhaps a dream. Considering the socio-political context, mirrors for women represent many things. Editor: That's fascinating. In a way, this image encapsulates the societal pressures women face. A continuous negotiation of presentation, how one is perceived. Curator: It's a powerful statement, even in its quietness, about the complexities of womanhood. Editor: Exactly. A photo that speaks volumes through its very intimate reflection.