Untitled (naked baby boy on blanket) c. 1950

Editor: This small, undated photograph by John Deusing, titled "Untitled (naked baby boy on blanket)," presents a child in stark tones. I find the reversed contrast unsettling. What symbols do you see in this image? Curator: The infant, a universal symbol of purity and potential, is laid bare. The negative presentation might symbolize the hidden or subconscious aspects of infancy. What emotions does that provoke when considered in the context of cultural expectations of childhood? Editor: I hadn’t considered the cultural aspect, only the visual. It definitely gives me more to think about. Curator: Indeed. The seemingly simple photograph reveals layers of cultural memory and psychological weight.