Untitled (women using matches to light a pipe) c. 1950

Curator: This intriguing photograph is titled "Untitled (women using matches to light a pipe)" by Jack Gould, its dimensions 10.16 x 12.7 cm. It currently resides in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It’s striking, the strong contrast creating an almost ghostly feel. The pose is so deliberate, it feels like a scene from a play. Curator: The act of lighting a pipe, historically loaded with masculine connotations, is here subverted by the presence of a woman. It suggests a challenge to traditional gender roles. Editor: Absolutely, and the composition, with the subject centered and the negative space around, emphasizes this singular act. The stark values accentuate the forms, almost like a graphic print. Curator: The pipe could symbolize independence, rebellion, or even a conscious effort to adopt traditionally male attributes in a changing social landscape. Editor: The absence of color certainly contributes to the timeless feel, encouraging us to focus on shape and the very subtle gradations of tone. Curator: It leaves us pondering the shifting identities and the ongoing negotiation of power embedded within seemingly mundane gestures. Editor: Indeed, Gould really captures something quite potent here in what appears to be a very simple set up.