Untitled (two portraits of baby with bare feet) c. 1945

Editor: This is an untitled photographic print by John Deusing, featuring two portraits of a baby with bare feet. It has an eerie feeling to it, maybe because it's a photographic negative? What do you see in this image? Curator: The reversed tonality certainly contributes to that feeling. Considering the historical context, it prompts reflection on representation and the gaze. How does inverting the image affect our perception of innocence and vulnerability, especially given the potential for exploitation inherent in portraiture, then and now? Editor: That's a great point. I hadn't considered how the photographic negative impacts the perception of power. Curator: Right. And what about the duplication? Does it amplify or diminish the baby's individuality, and what cultural narratives about childhood are at play? Editor: It's like the baby is a product! Thanks, I'll keep thinking about this! Curator: Me too!