Untitled (judge at his bench in courtroom) c. 1948

Editor: This small gelatin silver print by Jack Gould depicts a judge in court. It feels formal, yet distant. What can you tell me about the social implications of this courtroom scene? Curator: The image appears to capture a space of power. How might the racial and economic backgrounds of those being judged impact the narrative? What biases might be present in this courtroom? Editor: That’s true. Seeing it as a system that may have inherent biases makes it a lot more impactful. Curator: Right, we must consider the historical context and the potential for inequality within the justice system. Editor: Thanks! I'll definitely consider that perspective moving forward.