Untitled (two women in ball gowns) 1946

This small black and white photograph, now in the Harvard Art Museums, is by Robert Burian and features two women in ball gowns. At first glance, the composition is dominated by tonal inversions, as this appears to be a photographic negative. This reversal creates a visual estrangement, a destabilization of our expectations of light and shadow. The gowns themselves are studies in texture and form. One woman stands, her dress a cascade of tiered ruffles, creating a complex interplay of light and dark. The other sits, and her gown spills out in front of her, covering the floor in rippling pools of fabric, a contrast to the structured lines of the backdrop. The effect is further heightened by the semiotic play of the image. The women's postures and expressions, while obscured by the inverted tones, suggest a narrative – a conversation, a moment of shared intimacy. This moment is captured and presented in such a way that the photograph goes beyond simple representation. By exploring the interplay of light, shadow, and texture, the image invites ongoing interpretation and re-interpretation of meaning.