Untitled (four guests at ball) 1965

Robert Burian created this gelatin silver print, titled "Untitled (four guests at ball)," and held in the Harvard Art Museums. The photograph captures four formally dressed guests, likely at a ball or formal event. This image evokes questions of social class and identity, offering a glimpse into a world of privilege and social expectations. The negative image casts a surreal pall over the subjects; their figures highlighted in white against a black backdrop. Consider the era in which this photograph was likely taken. What norms of gender, race, and class are being performed? Are there ways in which traditional narratives are either reinforced or subverted? Reflect on how images like these contribute to our understanding of history and social dynamics. Consider also the emotional dimensions of being both an observer and a participant in such events. This image presents a moment frozen in time, inviting us to consider our own relationship to the complexities of social identity and historical context.