Untitled (four women holding prizes at Christmas party) 1948

Robert Burian captured this scene of a Christmas party using photography, a relatively new medium in his time, to depict four women proudly holding their prizes. The gesture of holding an object aloft connects to ancient victory celebrations, echoing the Roman triumph. The 'Triumph' was often symbolized by holding aloft a prize or trophy. This motif appears throughout Renaissance paintings, such as Mantegna's series on the Triumph of Caesar, and is often adapted to the specific context of the artwork. It evokes primal emotions tied to accomplishment and the desire for recognition. As we see in this photograph, the symbol of ‘triumph’ becomes less about military prowess and instead is about celebrating community participation during a holiday gathering. It is a sign of cultural memory and continuity.