Untitled (storefront window, menswear, Schaffner & Marx) c. 1940s

Curator: This is John Deusing's black and white photograph, "Untitled (storefront window, menswear, Schaffner & Marx)" from the Harvard Art Museums. It measures roughly 4 by 5 inches. Editor: My first thought is how staged and almost dreamlike the window display feels. The mannequins are like silent guardians of an era. Curator: Indeed. The photograph freezes a moment of idealized masculinity, reflecting the post-war aspirations marketed by Schaffner & Marx, a prominent menswear brand. The window is like a theater. Editor: The symbolism here is interesting. The suits, hats, even the miniature bridge—they all seem to be signifiers of upward mobility and the American dream. Notice the almost shrine-like arrangement. Curator: Precisely. There's a cultural narrative being built, projecting a very specific image of success and belonging through consumerism. Each element supports this vision. Editor: I’m left thinking about how these kinds of images shaped our cultural expectations. The careful construction of such a display has lasting social impact.