Dorothy and Herb Vogel 1989

Editor: This is Daryl Trivieri's photograph, "Dorothy and Herb Vogel," taken in 1989. It’s a sepia-toned portrait. It has a homey feel, yet something about it feels staged and a bit unsettling to me. What visual cues stand out to you? Curator: What strikes me is how Trivieri positions the Vogels almost as modern-day icons. Consider their direct gazes. These engage the viewer, inviting us into their personal space. The cat also looks to be making eye contact with the viewer. This, in turn, adds to the domestic symbolism present in the portrait. It presents the Vogels in an iconic pose familiar to classical images depicting family. How do you see the cultural implications? Editor: I suppose the setting does speak volumes – they’re in their home with the appliances clearly visible, making them relatable. So, instead of distant collectors, they become familiar figures, and accessible, reinforcing the idea that art collecting can be an everyday activity. Curator: Exactly! This is a portrait embedded with social memory. It’s interesting how Trivieri has chosen to portray them not as gatekeepers of culture, but rather humble preservers of art, almost akin to modern-day saints guarding relics. Note, also, how their physical closeness signifies the unbreakable bonds formed through shared passion, which echoes the sacredness of their shared commitment to art. Doesn’t the domestic sphere become their temple? Editor: I never looked at it like that! Now I see that every element – the appliances, the cat, and even the Vogels' expressions – comes together to create a much more intricate story than just a simple portrait. I’ll be sure to look at other portrait photographs with fresh eyes from now on. Curator: Indeed. Considering the symbolic framework of portraiture encourages deeper thinking on how people become remembered in art history.