Untitled (two portraits of toddler with his teddy bear) c. 1945

Editor: This is John Deusing’s "Untitled (two portraits of toddler with his teddy bear)." It's a photographic image, and the doubled composition gives it a formal, almost symmetrical feel. What strikes you about the work? Curator: The bilateral symmetry, while not perfect, draws attention to the formal elements. Note how the chair's ornate carvings are echoed, yet differ slightly, in each frame. Consider the tonality; the reversed values create an almost ethereal effect. Editor: So, the photograph’s value gives it significance? Curator: Indeed. The stark contrast emphasizes the textures – the plush toy, the child's clothing, the smooth skin. These oppositions create a visual tension, inviting contemplation on the nature of representation itself. Editor: That makes me see the photograph's composition in a totally new light. Thanks! Curator: It has been my pleasure.