Untitled ("before" version of damaged photograph of couple, man in military hat) c. 1940s

This damaged photograph of a couple, the man in a military hat, was made by Robert Burian at an unknown date. The image itself is not just a representation, but also a material object subject to decay. Think about the making of a photograph like this. Light is captured on chemically treated paper, processed through a series of steps that require precision and care. But here, the crispness of the original image contrasts starkly with the tear that bisects the couple. The damage speaks to time's passage, and the fragility of memory. The photograph, once a pristine representation of a couple, now carries an unintended narrative. It prompts us to consider how the inherent properties of the materials—paper, emulsion, and the chemical processes that bind them—intersect with personal history. Burian's work challenges us to see photography not just as image-making, but as a craft deeply intertwined with the human condition.