Untitled (couple sitting on bench) 1965

Robert Burian’s black and white photograph titled, *Untitled (couple sitting on bench)*, captures a seemingly innocent moment in January 1965. However, looking closer, this image encapsulates the often unspoken expectations placed upon young people during the mid-1960s. We see a young couple dressed formally, ready to participate in rituals of courtship and class. Yet, do we see genuine joy or merely compliance with societal norms? This era was marked by the rise of the second-wave feminist movement, challenging traditional gender roles and expectations, at the same time the civil rights movement was in full swing. Burian’s photograph is not just a snapshot of a couple but a window into a time of social upheaval, where personal identity was increasingly shaped by the push and pull of tradition and the burgeoning desire for change. It leaves us contemplating the personal struggles and silent rebellions that might have been hidden behind posed smiles.