Eugene Foss 1916

Editor: Here we have John Garo’s photographic portrait of Eugene Foss, its date unfortunately unknown. There's something very heavy about the image, both literally in its dark tones and conceptually in its presentation of power. What stands out to you? Curator: Consider the process of creating such a portrait. The photographer, the sitter, the darkroom labour, and the economic transaction enabling it all. How does this photograph reflect the labor of portraiture in the early 20th century, and how does its materiality—the paper, the developing process—speak to its value as a commodity? Editor: That’s fascinating. So you’re suggesting we see this not just as a representation of a man, but as a product of a complex system of labor and materials? Curator: Precisely. This image is also a reflection of Garo’s studio practice and his strategies for marketing himself within Boston's elite circles. Editor: That gives me a lot to think about regarding how we assign value to portraits, then and now. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. It’s important to consider the material reality behind every image we encounter.