Untitled (people in pig costumes at Beaux Arts Ball) c. 1950

Curator: At Harvard Art Museums, we have an untitled photograph by Jack Gould, capturing attendees in pig costumes at a Beaux Arts Ball. It’s quite small, only 6 x 6 centimeters. Editor: My first thought? The masks, though comical, carry a peculiar weight. They feel ritualistic, ancient, even, despite their whimsical nature. Curator: Beaux Arts Balls were known for their elaborate costumes and theatricality. The pig masks, however, could be seen as a commentary on societal excess or perhaps a playful nod to classical mythology. Editor: The pig as a symbol is so loaded. In some cultures, it represents prosperity; in others, gluttony. Here, the wearers seem almost... anonymized, their identities subsumed by the mask's symbolism. Curator: The photograph's muted tones enhance that feeling. It's a snapshot of a specific event, yes, but also speaks to the enduring human impulse to transform and disguise. Editor: It makes you wonder about the individuals beneath the masks. What societal roles were they escaping, or perhaps exaggerating? Curator: Food for thought, indeed, on the enduring power of masks and costumes. Editor: Yes, a reminder that images always hold more than meets the eye.