Untitled (children riding on toy train) c. 1951

Curator: There’s such a strong sense of anticipation in this small photograph from the Harvard Art Museums—it’s simply called, *Untitled (children riding on toy train)*, by Jack Gould. Editor: Oh, I love the almost dreamlike quality! The slightly muted colors give it a nostalgic charm, like a faded memory. Curator: That’s interesting, because I think it shows a moment of social engineering, where children are taught about class structures at play—note the children in overalls helping the children into the train. Editor: Well, perhaps, but there’s an element of playfulness to the whole thing. The expressions on their faces, the little train, it’s not all grim social commentary, is it? Curator: Perhaps not, but the public role of imagery, and its impact on shaping perceptions of childhood, is also really relevant. Editor: I can't help but see it as more innocent, a sweet snapshot of childhood joy, tinged with a bit of the past. Curator: Indeed, and thinking about this photograph from both angles gives it an added layer of meaning. Editor: Exactly, a window into the past that reveals different facets depending on how you look at it.