Untitled (Nunn-Bush shoe store interior) c. 1940

Editor: This fascinating photograph by John Deusing captures the interior of a Nunn-Bush shoe store. The rows of boxes and the neatly arranged chairs give it a very staged and orderly feel. What's your take on its historical context? Curator: It's interesting to see the emphasis on order and consumerism in this staged setting. Post-war America saw a rise in standardized experiences, promising a specific kind of upward mobility. Doesn’t this image reflect a certain aspiration and idealization of the shopping experience? Editor: That makes sense! It does feel like it's selling a lifestyle as much as shoes. Curator: Exactly. The composition, with its rigid lines and focus on display, speaks to the marketing strategies of the time, creating a desire for belonging and status. Editor: That adds so much depth to what I initially saw as a simple photograph!