Untitled (animals in zoo band; a dog) c. 1950

Editor: This is an untitled black and white image, “animals in zoo band; a dog,” by Jack Gould, part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. It's quite striking. What do you see in its composition? Curator: The inverted tonality immediately arrests the gaze, forcing a reassessment of form and shadow. The dog’s poised stance atop the stool introduces a vertical dynamism, countered by the static architectural backdrop. How does this interplay affect your interpretation? Editor: I think it creates an interesting contrast. So, the dog is active, but the background is still. Curator: Precisely. And the reversal of light? Does it amplify the texture or flatten the depth? Editor: I think it brings out the texture and form of the dog, but the flattening does make it feel surreal. Curator: A valuable observation. It highlights how altered photographic processes can redefine the artwork’s visual language. Editor: I see the image anew, thinking about the forms and textures!