Untitled (portrait of boy in white holding bible and rosary, standing next to table with ceramic horn of plenty) c. 1950

Curator: This photograph, by John Deusing, is simply titled "Untitled (portrait of boy in white holding bible and rosary, standing next to table with ceramic horn of plenty)." Editor: It feels formal, almost staged. The boy's holding religious objects, but he's also posed next to a cornucopia… an odd juxtaposition! Curator: Yes, the horn of plenty, overflowing with vegetation, is a symbol of abundance and prosperity. It contrasts with the bible and rosary, which signify faith and spiritual devotion. Together, they speak to the duality of earthly and heavenly blessings. Editor: It's as if the artist is saying, "Here are the things that matter: faith, family, and… stuff." It's a bit unsettling, but also strangely humorous. Curator: Perhaps the photographer was commenting on societal values, or maybe just capturing a moment in time when these symbols held particular weight. We see echoes of tradition and the budding seeds of modernity. Editor: I like that. It makes you wonder what the artist truly intended, or even what the boy was thinking. It’s a window into a bygone era, full of hidden stories.