Untitled (man on runway near large Air Force jet) c. 1950

Curator: This photograph by Jack Gould, simply titled "Untitled (man on runway near large Air Force jet)," presents a solitary figure on a vast airfield. The image, part of the Harvard Art Museums collection, captures a moment of quiet unease. Editor: It’s striking how the small scale of the print intensifies the feeling of isolation. The man's posture, the gun slung over his shoulder… it feels both powerful and vulnerable. Curator: The image resonates with the Cold War era, doesn't it? The ever-present threat of global conflict, visualized through the silent guard and the looming Air Force jets. It's also about the role of the military in shaping American identity. Editor: Absolutely. And the composition directs us to consider power structures, the individual against the immense machinery of war. Whose freedom is he protecting, and at what cost? Curator: It reminds us of the complex relationship between military might and societal anxieties, anxieties reflected in the art and culture of the time. Editor: It’s a stark reminder that even in moments of apparent calm, the potential for violence simmers beneath the surface. It leaves you pondering the weight of that responsibility.