Untitled (women putting on gloves) 1965

This photograph by Robert Burian shows two women, dressed in formal gowns, putting on gloves. We don’t have a date for the work, but based on the dress styles, the interior decor and the hairstyles, it is likely from the 1950s or early 60s. The image brings up interesting questions about class and gender roles in post-war America. What social rituals are these women preparing for? The gloves are particularly symbolic, as they mark the importance of etiquette and propriety in middle-class society at this time. In contrast to the radical artistic movements developing at the same time, this photograph presents a self-consciously conservative view of society. To better understand the image, we might consider the history of fashion photography, the development of suburban culture in the US, or the changing role of women in American society after the second world war. By considering the image in its social and institutional context, we can begin to appreciate its place in the history of American culture.