Untitled (young girls playing dress-up and putting on make-up) c. 1950

Curator: This is an untitled photograph by Jack Gould, held in the Harvard Art Museums, depicting young girls playing dress-up. Editor: It's a striking image; the high contrast gives it an almost dreamlike, slightly unsettling quality. Curator: The image certainly captures a moment of transition, where childhood play intersects with the performance of femininity. Editor: Right. The act of applying makeup can be viewed as a microcosm of societal expectations imposed on young girls, reflecting and reinforcing certain beauty standards. Curator: Absolutely, and the presence of the mirror amplifies this theme, encouraging viewers to consider the role of self-perception. The girls are not merely playing, but internalizing cultural norms. Editor: It makes you wonder about the photographer's intentions. Were they aware of these implications? It's also a powerful commentary on how images themselves contribute to these norms. Curator: Indeed, a complex interplay of representation and reality. Editor: Very insightful, I'll keep that in mind!