Untitled (bridal party posed in studio) c. 1945

Curator: This is John Deusing's "Untitled (bridal party posed in studio)," and it's a silver gelatin print currently residing here at the Harvard Art Museums. The dimensions are approximately 8 by 10 inches. What strikes you first? Editor: The stark inversion of light; it gives the subjects an ethereal, almost ghostly quality. It disrupts conventional expectations of portraiture. Curator: Absolutely. Looking at this through a historical lens, consider the wartime context, perhaps World War II given the uniforms. A wedding, a symbol of hope and continuity, juxtaposed against the backdrop of global conflict. Editor: Indeed. Semiotically, the white attire traditionally signifies purity and celebration, but here, inverted, it hints at loss, or perhaps, a fragile hope. Curator: Yes, and those uniforms remind us of societal roles and expectations during that time, the pressure to conform, even amidst personal milestones. Editor: The tonal inversion emphasizes textures, drawing focus to material details. Curator: This work challenges our understanding of photography's role in capturing and preserving memory, suggesting how even celebratory moments can be tinged with uncertainty. Editor: It's a disquieting beauty. Curator: Exactly. Deusing offers us a space to reflect on the complexities of love, duty, and identity during times of turmoil.