Untitled (woman reclining in chair, smoking a pipe) c. 1950

Curator: This intriguing image, held within the Harvard Art Museums, is simply titled "Untitled (woman reclining in chair, smoking a pipe)" by Jack Gould. Editor: I'm immediately struck by the inversion of light and shadow, creating a ghostly, almost dreamlike atmosphere. There's a captivating stillness to the pose. Curator: The pipe is interesting. It evokes a bohemian spirit, a deliberate break from societal norms associated with women, class, and respectability. Editor: Yes, it speaks to the symbolism of rebellion and intellectual pursuit. The swirling smoke adds another layer, perhaps representing fleeting thoughts or a desire for escape. The objects around her create a familiar iconography of domestic space. Curator: Absolutely. And within a feminist framework, her defiance of those conventions takes on a political charge. There is also the question of whether smoking is performative or for enjoyment. Editor: Seeing how these layered symbols reflect the shifting societal expectations placed on women, truly enriches our understanding. Curator: Indeed. It's a potent reminder of the complexities inherent in representations of gender and identity.