Untitled (wedding group portrait in studio) c. 1940

Editor: This is an untitled wedding group portrait by John Deusing, its dimensions are about 4 by 5 inches. It appears to be a photographic negative, creating an ethereal, almost dreamlike effect. What significance might this reversal hold? Curator: The negative image transforms the expected brightness of a wedding into something more mysterious. Weddings, of course, are ripe with symbols – vows, rings, flowers. Here, the inversion perhaps reveals a deeper, unconscious layer. What memories or anxieties might be lurking beneath the surface of this seemingly joyous occasion? Editor: That’s fascinating. So the negative space becomes a way to explore the hidden meanings within a familiar ritual? Curator: Precisely. It's a visual echo of the complexities inherent in commitment, family, and the enduring power of tradition.