Untitled (Greenfield Laundry Service truck, damage to side of truck) c. 1940

Curator: This photograph, currently titled "Untitled (Greenfield Laundry Service truck, damage to side of truck)," is part of the Harvard Art Museums collection, and was taken by John Deusing. What stands out to you initially? Editor: Well, first, the stark contrast gives it a kind of noir-ish, almost ghostly feel. The damage on the truck tells a story of labor and perhaps some hard times. Curator: Note how Deusing frames the truck—its damaged side on full display, yet the composition remains balanced by the Greenfield Laundry logo and the presence of the building behind. The textures are so striking. Editor: Right, and it makes me think about the history of small businesses, especially laundries. Who owned Greenfield Laundry? What communities did it serve, and how did that damage impact their ability to serve them? Curator: Perhaps that damage adds a layer of vulnerability, humanizing this commercial vehicle and prompting viewers to consider the people it represents. Editor: Exactly. It's a photograph that invites reflection on the everyday lives and struggles of working-class people. Curator: Indeed, and how Deusing, through his choices in composition and contrast, elevated an ordinary scene to something quite compelling. Editor: It’s a reminder that even seemingly mundane images can hold significant social and historical weight.