Untitled (two men holding women on their shoulder, American flag, photographs) c. 1910

Editor: This photograph by Durette Studio shows two men holding women on their shoulders in front of an American flag. I’m struck by the unusual composition and the clear performativity of the subjects. What can you tell me about the context in which this photograph was made? Curator: This image prompts questions about labor, performance, and the studio's role in shaping social narratives. Consider the material conditions: the studio space, the flag as a manufactured object, the labor of the men holding the women. What does this staged scene tell us about power dynamics and representation within the context of early photography? Editor: I never considered the physical effort of holding someone for a photograph. Thank you! Curator: It's important to consider how materials and labor contribute to the image's meaning.