Untitled (portrait of two children with hobby horse) c. 1945

Editor: This arresting photograph, simply titled "Untitled (portrait of two children with hobby horse)" by John Deusing, presents a stark study in light and shadow. The figures are positioned rigidly and this tonal inversion gives it an otherworldly feel. What do you make of its composition? Curator: Indeed. Note the stark contrast, the near-absence of mid-tones. Observe how the window panes establish a geometric grid, a counterpoint to the softness of the children. The composition is spatially disorienting. Is it a reflection, or perhaps a solarization experiment? These stylistic qualities warrant further inspection. Editor: I see what you mean about the grid; it's both grounding and unsettling at the same time. I hadn't thought about alternative photographic process. Curator: Precisely. The artist’s choices guide our reading of form and surface, creating meaning beyond the immediate depiction. Editor: I have a new appreciation for the technical aspects that contribute to the photograph's unique atmosphere.