Untitled (little girl seated on bench in studio with bouquet of flowers) 1938

Curator: This haunting photographic negative, "Untitled (little girl seated on bench in studio with bouquet of flowers)," is by John Deusing, though it is undated. Editor: There's something unsettling about the stark contrast. It amplifies the girl's figure, making her appear almost spectral against that draped backdrop. Curator: The ethereal quality is heightened by the tonal inversion. We might interpret the photograph as a critique of societal expectations projected onto young girls. Editor: Or perhaps it's simply a technical artifact, a glimpse into the photographic process itself. The textures are mesmerizing, abstracting the familiar to create unsettling beauty. Curator: I'm struck by how the lack of specific historical context invites such varied interpretations. Editor: Agreed, it’s this ambiguity that really lingers.