Untitled (bridal party portrait in studio) c. 1945

Curator: This photograph, taken by John Deusing, is titled "Untitled (bridal party portrait in studio)." Editor: It has a ghostly feel, like a memory fading, especially given the negative space. Curator: The photograph presents a study in the ritual of matrimony, frozen in time and preserved through light-sensitive materials. Editor: Yes, the material transformation is compelling. The photograph itself becomes an artifact embodying the hopes and social performances linked to marriage. Curator: Note also the flowers, symbols of fertility and prosperity, contrasted against the formality of the setting and rigid poses. The subjects, in turn, become symbolic representations of their social roles. Editor: And think about the labor involved in producing a formal portrait like this back then; it was not just a snapshot. Curator: The photograph serves as an enduring symbol of the ideals associated with marriage, both then and now. Editor: Thinking about Deusing’s work, its materiality makes the social construction of such unions tangible, wouldn't you say?