Untitled (sheep wandering around on hillside, crossing small ravine) c. 1950

Curator: Jack Gould's untitled photograph captures sheep traversing a hillside, a modest 6x6 cm work held at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It feels haunted. The inverted tones lend the scene a spectral quality, like a dreamscape of pastoral life, where the sheep seem almost ethereal. Curator: The symbolism of sheep has varied across cultures. Historically, they represent innocence and followership, but can also signify sacrifice and vulnerability depending on the specific cultural lens. Editor: True, but the lack of a shepherd here complicates that image. Are they free, or merely lost? There’s a certain loneliness in their collective movement, highlighted by the barren trees. Curator: The photograph’s inversion disrupts typical associations. By inverting this familiar image, Gould possibly challenges us to reconsider idyllic notions of rural life and its inherent power dynamics. Editor: Perhaps. It makes me wonder about the artist’s intent. The negative space becomes as important as the forms themselves, suggesting hidden forces or unseen narratives guiding these creatures. Curator: A potent reminder of how visual language can be reshaped to challenge dominant perceptions. Editor: Indeed, and to rethink familiar symbols.