Untitled (portrait of a family in the studio) 1938

Curator: This is an untitled portrait of a family in the studio by John Deusing, its dimensions are 17.78 x 12.7 cm. Editor: Wow, it’s got this otherworldly glow, like a memory fading or maybe a photograph of ghosts. Curator: It's a photographic negative, which is why it looks so striking. These were often made in commercial photography studios, offering affordable portraiture to a rising middle class. The family is very formally posed. Editor: Formal, yes, but also kind of tender. I keep getting drawn to the little boy, the way he grips the edge of the seat, like he's trying to hold onto something. It makes you wonder about their story. Curator: Family portraits like this were powerful tools for constructing and presenting social identity. The backdrop, the clothing, everything was carefully chosen to convey a specific message about their status and aspirations. Editor: I guess it makes you think about how much we curate our own images today. It's easy to forget how powerful a simple family portrait can be. Curator: Precisely, the image reminds us of both the artifice and the deep human desire to be seen and remembered. Editor: Yeah, it’s a bit like capturing lightning in a bottle, isn't it?