Untitled (judge at his desk talking with other men) c. 1948

Editor: This is an untitled gelatin silver print by Jack Gould, depicting a judge and other men. It feels very staged, almost like a tableau. What do you make of this image? Curator: It's interesting how Gould positions the figures. It feels like a commentary on power structures, doesn’t it? The judge is central, but the others seem to be performing roles for an audience. Editor: So you think the staged quality is intentional, highlighting the performative nature of law and justice? Curator: Precisely. It makes you wonder who the intended audience was, and what Gould was trying to say about the institutions represented. Editor: It makes me think about the accessibility of justice, who it's really for. Curator: Yes, it's a powerful image that uses its artificiality to raise very real questions about the social function of law.