Untitled (family portrait outside, parents and child) c. 1950

Editor: Here we have John Howell’s Untitled family portrait. It's a stark black and white image with a family posed outdoors. The inverted tones create an unsettling effect. What do you see in its formal arrangement? Curator: Observe how the composition is rigidly structured, almost symmetrical. The central placement of the child and the parental figures creates a visual anchor. Note the textures: the foliage, the fabrics. How do these elements interact to structure the viewer's gaze? Editor: The textures are interesting. The rough foliage contrasts with the smooth clothing. It does keep my eye moving, even with the strange tonality. I learned a lot about formalism!