Untitled (antelope at the zoo) c. 1950

Curator: Here we have an untitled photograph by Jack Gould, housed here at the Harvard Art Museums, depicting an antelope at the zoo. Editor: I'm immediately struck by the sense of isolation, the animal's forlorn posture against this backdrop. It’s like a symbol of displacement, don’t you think? Curator: Yes, the image resonates with a primal tension. Antelopes, historically symbols of grace and freedom, are here confined, representing a broken connection between nature and captivity. The shadow seems to amplify the alienation. Editor: Absolutely! The zoo is a stage, and the antelope is a captive performer. The raw, unadorned style enhances that sense of vulnerability. It makes you think about the emotional cost of our entertainment. Curator: Indeed. Gould's capture here exposes layers of meaning, underscoring the psychological weight of human intervention on the natural world. Editor: This photo really leaves a mark; its stark simplicity evokes complex feelings about freedom, identity, and our role in shaping the fate of other creatures.