Untitled (two women and Eugenie Stoll in clown costumes) c. 1945

Curator: This is an untitled photograph by C. Bennette Moore depicting two women and Eugenie Stoll in clown costumes. Editor: The high contrast gives it such an eerie feel, almost like a ghostly apparition. I find the texture of the costumes fascinating, a study in light and shadow. Curator: Clown imagery was potent, wasn't it? In this era, they often were used to satirize social norms, or even express anxieties during uncertain times. This photograph, though, seems more whimsical, almost playful. Editor: Notice the deliberate placement of each figure, creating a compositional triangle, and the textural variation between the smooth faces and ruffled collars. It's the contrast between their expressions and the costume that create a sense of unease. Curator: Yes, the clown can be both a figure of joy and a symbol of hidden pain. This image makes me want to learn more about their lives and social context. Editor: And for me, it’s the striking use of light and shade which creates an unsettling mood.