Untitled (men standing around hanging dead deer) c. 1950

Curator: This photograph, currently titled "Untitled (men standing around hanging dead deer)" is by Jack Gould. It's a black and white image, roughly 4 by 5 inches, housed at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: My initial reaction is that it evokes a somber, almost ritualistic feeling, with the stark monochrome and the central image of the deer carcasses. Curator: I think that is right, and the gathering of men around the hanging deer certainly suggests a specific kind of social or economic ritual linked to hunting culture, maybe even tied to ideas of masculinity. The presence of what looks like a Coca-Cola sign in the background adds another layer. Editor: Absolutely, that juxtaposition introduces the modern world into this scene. It makes me think about how the local community is dealing with larger commercial forces. What does the deer as a symbol mean in the context of societal consumption? Curator: Exactly. These images trigger profound contemplation. Editor: Indeed, a lot to unpack.