Untitled (close-up view of Richard Nixon's face seen from below) c. 1960

Curator: Well, hello there! I’m immediately struck by the chiaroscuro here; a real dance between light and shadow. Editor: Indeed. This photograph, currently held at the Harvard Art Museums, presents a close-up, low-angle view of Richard Nixon. It’s simply listed as "Untitled" by Jack Gould. Curator: Untitled...but it screams volumes, doesn't it? The way the light catches his smile feels almost… predatory. And that dark void looming behind him? It's like he's emerging from a moral abyss. Editor: It’s fascinating how the composition amplifies the complexities of Nixon's public image. We often see portraits designed to project strength. This, however, hints at something more ambiguous. Curator: Right! It's that subtle unease. You're not quite sure if he's charming you or plotting against you. I think that is the beauty of Gould's lens; it is a portrait of power that unintentionally shows frailty. Editor: It certainly invites one to consider the public role of imagery, and how perception is so profoundly shaped. Curator: Absolutely. It’s a stark reminder that a picture is worth a thousand… lies? No, maybe just… a thousand interpretations.