Untitled (children with polio in wheelchairs, painting at table) 1947

Editor: This is an untitled photograph by Jack Gould, showing children with polio in wheelchairs, painting at a table. The scene has a bittersweet feel to it. What can you tell me about its social context? Curator: The image speaks to the institutionalization and medical treatment of children during the polio epidemics. Consider the public perception and policies surrounding disability at the time. How does the image challenge or reinforce those norms? Editor: I hadn't thought about it that way. So it's not just a photo, but a commentary on public health and social attitudes? Curator: Precisely. And the act of creating art, itself, becomes a powerful symbol of agency and resilience in the face of adversity.