Untitled (mother putting make-up on daughter in swimsuit) c. 1947

Curator: This small gelatin silver print by Jack Gould captures a mother applying makeup to her daughter, who is wearing a swimsuit. It's quite striking, wouldn’t you agree? Editor: Indeed. The inverted tones create an unsettling atmosphere. It is as though we are witnessing the creation of an identity, a manufactured persona, which is being applied to the child. Curator: The use of makeup here, its accessibility as a tool for constructing identity, speaks volumes about the performative roles women are encouraged to adopt within a patriarchal society. Editor: Yes, and observe the composition. The cropped edges intensify the intimacy of the scene, focusing on their interaction. The reversal makes it look like a dream. Curator: I'm also curious about the context. What sort of labor went into this image? What sort of camera was used? Who were the subjects? Editor: A moment transformed, revealing layers of meaning through the photographer's lens. Curator: It really does make you reflect on the power dynamics in play.