Untitled (exterior of large house) c. 1950

Editor: Here we have John Howell’s "Untitled (exterior of large house)" of indeterminate date, a small-scale photograph from the Harvard Art Museums. The inverted tones give it a spectral quality, almost like an x-ray. What strikes you about its composition? Curator: The tonal inversion is critical. It disrupts our typical understanding of light and shadow, foregrounding the structural elements. Notice how the skeletal trees mirror the rigid geometry of the house. Editor: Yes, the bare trees create a stark contrast against the house’s solidity. What does that tension suggest? Curator: The tension resides in the interplay between organic and architectural forms. The photograph's starkness invites us to consider the underlying structure beneath superficial appearances. Editor: That’s fascinating; I hadn’t considered the structural interplay so directly. Thank you.