Gropius Residence, Lincoln, Massachusetts, 1938 c. 1938

Curator: This is a photograph by Paul Davis, capturing Walter Gropius' residence in Lincoln, Massachusetts, around 1938. Editor: The building's stark geometry really strikes me; it’s such a contrast to the natural landscape, though the image is drained of color. Curator: Indeed. The interplay of horizontal and vertical lines emphasizes Gropius' Bauhaus ideals. The spiral staircase provides a striking contrast to the rectilinear forms. Editor: And speaking of contrasts, the house’s design heralded the arrival of European modernism into American domestic architecture. It must have stood out so boldly in its setting. Curator: Precisely. A fascinating document of architectural and cultural transition. Editor: A powerful statement captured in a single frame.