Untitled (woman wearing coveralls and heels, looking over shoulder) c. 1940

Curator: Here we have an untitled photograph by John Deusing, currently held in the Harvard Art Museums' collection, depicting a woman in coveralls and heels. Editor: The immediate contrast is striking, isn't it? The coarse fabric of workwear juxtaposed with those dainty, impractical shoes. It speaks volumes about imposed femininity. Curator: Exactly. The layering of class and gender expectations becomes palpable in this image. It challenges traditional roles. Editor: I'm also drawn to the photographic process itself. The grainy texture, the high contrast; it lends a stark realism, almost like a document. Curator: It's a document of its time, certainly. The woman’s gaze over her shoulder hints at a discomfort, a self-awareness of being observed. Editor: Perhaps even defiance. It makes you question the relationship between labor, gender, and visibility. Fascinating piece. Curator: Indeed, a single image sparking so many relevant cultural questions is quite powerful. Editor: I agree. It's a reminder that what we wear can be a powerful statement.