Untitled (men on basketball team, group portrait) 1948

Here’s an untitled photograph of a basketball team by Robert Burian at the Harvard Art Museums. I wonder if this photo was a formal occasion, or a casual snapshot of a team's camaraderie. What's striking is the uniformity—the matching tracksuits, the neat row they form. But then you notice the small differences: a slightly different posture, or a unique pair of sneakers. It’s a reminder that even within a team, individuality persists. As a painter, I am very interested in the relationship between groups and individuals! I can only imagine what it was like to photograph them. Perhaps Burian sought to capture a sense of unity and the spirit of a team. The work almost resembles a painting. A monochromatic study in form and texture! Like many artists, Burian experiments with capturing light and shadow, revealing something deeper about the group's collective identity.