Untitled (bridal party portrait in studio) c. 1945

Curator: This is an untitled studio portrait of a bridal party by John Deusing. While undated, its dimensions are roughly 10 by 8 inches. It's quite striking, isn't it? Editor: It certainly is. The negative image gives it an eerie, almost spectral quality. There's a formality here, but it's disrupted by the unusual presentation. Curator: These formal studio portraits were a staple in communities. They served as public declarations, reinforcing social bonds, especially in immigrant communities. Editor: Exactly. It speaks to the performative aspect of marriage and family, especially for women whose identities are often subsumed by these roles. The negative transforms it into something more complicated. It makes you question the power structures at play in what looks like a simple wedding photo. Curator: I think it reflects changing expectations around family and marriage as social institutions. Editor: Absolutely, and by presenting it as a negative, it challenges us to consider what's hidden, what's reversed, what's not immediately apparent in such a traditional image. Curator: Indeed. It’s a subtle but impactful commentary on the layers of meaning embedded within seemingly straightforward images. Editor: It really does make you think about the darker side of tradition, and how we can reclaim these images.