Untitled (soccer player jumping into horizontal position to kick ball) c. 1950

Curator: This image, currently titled "Untitled (soccer player jumping into horizontal position to kick ball)," is by photographer Jack Gould and held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: The tonality is striking; the dark sky contrasting with the ghostly figure of the airborne soccer player. It feels almost dreamlike. Curator: The inverted tones certainly lend an ethereal quality. Given the societal context, it might be seen as a depiction of youthful athleticism, perhaps reflecting the increasing popularity of sports photography and the celebration of the active lifestyle. Editor: I'm drawn to the geometry of the composition. The player's horizontal pose against the vertical trees—it creates a dynamic tension. The negative space around the ball also emphasizes the impending impact. Curator: And, of course, the negative reverses conventional notions of light and shadow. The artist could be asking us to reconsider the familiar imagery surrounding sports and our perception of athleticism. Editor: I see your point; the reversal certainly reframes our view. A fascinating interplay of form and implied action.