Untitled (meal on table, plate and mug, seen from above) c. 1950

Editor: This is an untitled photograph by Jack Gould, showing a meal on a table, a plate, and a mug, viewed from above. The negative image makes it feel stark, almost like an x-ray. What can you tell me about this piece? Curator: Given the starkness and everyday subject matter, it's fascinating to consider the labor involved in its creation. What kind of photographic process did Gould employ? Was this a darkroom print, a contact print, or something else entirely? That informs our understanding. Editor: That's a good point, it definitely makes you think about all the steps that went into making it. Thanks for that insight. Curator: Understanding the process emphasizes the material reality, challenging any romantic notions about artistic creation. Food, labor, and photographic materials intertwine.