Untitled (two girls dressed in white, wearing veils, holding bibles and rosaries, one seated) 1952

Editor: This is an untitled photograph by John Deusing, showing two girls in white dresses, veils, bibles and rosaries. It seems to capture a formal occasion, maybe a first communion. What stands out to you about this image? Curator: The image’s power lies in its material reality. Consider the labor invested in these garments. Who made them? Were they handmade or store-bought? These details reveal social and economic contexts beyond the immediate scene. Editor: That’s fascinating! I hadn't considered the garment production. Curator: Indeed. The rosaries and bibles are also commodities, produced and consumed within a religious framework. How does this influence your interpretation? Editor: It makes me think about the commercialization of religion and the roles these objects play in reinforcing beliefs. Thanks, I'll never look at a photograph the same way. Curator: And I will remember to look beyond the surface for the human element of the subject.