Untitled (receiving line at party) 1964

This undated photograph by Robert Burian captures a receiving line at a party. The setting seems to be a formal event, judging by the elegant gowns and tuxedos. Made in December 1964, this image embodies the social codes and power dynamics of its time. The receiving line itself is a ritual, symbolizing hierarchy and status. It reflects the rigid social structures prevalent in American society during the early to mid-1960s. These structures, which were still conservative, were about to be challenged by the counterculture movements of the later 1960s. Who are these people? Are they members of the art world? Or are they from some other sphere of elite society? To understand the image more fully, we need to investigate the social history of American high society and its institutions, to consider the ways in which events like this were represented in the media, and to reflect on the social and political context in which this image was produced. This photograph can open a window onto a specific time and place.