Untitled (group portrait in studio) c. 1945

Editor: So, this is John Deusing's "Untitled (group portrait in studio)," and it's a silver gelatin print at the Harvard Art Museums. It's striking how the figures almost glow, given the inverted tones. What do you make of the formal composition? Curator: The dramatic chiaroscuro achieved through the negative printing process certainly commands attention. Notice how the stark contrast emphasizes the geometric patterns in the backdrop, creating a deliberate tension with the organic forms of the figures. Editor: Tension, yes. It's like the subjects are emerging from a patterned light. Is there something you see in the arrangement itself? Curator: Observe how the symmetry, though present, is subtly disrupted by the varied poses and the arrangement of the figures. This calculated asymmetry introduces a dynamic visual rhythm, preventing the composition from becoming static. Editor: It's a really unique manipulation of light and form. Thanks! Curator: Indeed, the photographer's control over tonal values transforms a simple group portrait into a study of light, texture, and compositional balance.