Untitled (group portrait, men formally dresses, National Geographic Society) c. 1920

Curator: Here we have an untitled group portrait by Harris & Ewing, capturing formally dressed men in front of the National Geographic Society building. It's an 8x10 inch gelatin silver print. Editor: It strikes me as incredibly rigid. The stark contrast, the uniformity...it feels almost…oppressive. Curator: Indeed. The men are all wearing similar suits, likely tailored, reflecting the status and perhaps the homogeneity, of the organization. Editor: It really speaks to the politics of representation. Who gets to be seen, whose stories are told? Considering the National Geographic Society's history, it raises questions about power, race, and exclusion. Curator: And think about the photographic process itself. The selection of this specific medium, the dark room labor. It all contributed to the construction of this image, reflecting a certain vision of power and scientific authority. Editor: Seeing this photograph through a contemporary lens, it reminds me of the critical need to examine the implicit biases embedded within historical institutions and their visual representations. Curator: A compelling reminder that materiality and representation are never neutral. Editor: Precisely. Food for thought.