Untitled (women standing by large columns outside building) c. 1935

Curator: This is an untitled photograph by C. Bennette Moore, showcasing women standing by large columns outside a building. It's currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. It strikes me as quite ghostly. Editor: Indeed, the inverted tones contribute to that ethereal feel. The women are dwarfed by the architecture, which might signify the limited roles available to them at the time. The photograph itself becomes a historical artifact, recording a specific moment in women’s history. Curator: Let's also consider the photographic process itself. The choice of black and white, the possible printing techniques employed, and the materiality of the photograph—all these elements contributed to its haunting atmosphere. Editor: Absolutely. And the imperfections, the spots and blemishes—they add layers of meaning, almost like scars, hinting at untold stories of the women and their era. Curator: It really makes you wonder about the labor, the time, and the sheer craft involved in creating an image like this. Editor: Precisely. It's a potent reminder of the past, and of how photography can be used to both represent and challenge social norms. Curator: Thank you. That perspective enriches my understanding of the photo. Editor: My pleasure.