Untitled (three firemen coiling hose into firetruck) c. 1950

Curator: This gelatin silver print by Jack Gould, housed here at the Harvard Art Museums, captures three firemen coiling a hose into a firetruck. Editor: There's something almost ghostly about it, like a memory fading. The inverse tones amplify the everyday heroism, don't you think? Curator: Absolutely. The light and shadow play creates a powerful sense of duty and vigilance. Firefighters, throughout history, are seen as protectors, linking them to ancient guardian figures. Editor: The coiled hose, ready for action—it's a symbol of preparedness, but also a kind of vulnerability, hanging there. It all just feels so human, so immediate, despite the photographic process. Curator: The image resonates with our primal need for safety and order. These firefighters, in this moment, represent the archetype of the rescuer, selfless and ever-ready. Editor: It’s funny, isn't it? This small photograph encapsulates such big ideas about community and courage, all in the mundane act of coiling a hose. Curator: It invites us to reflect on the ordinary moments where extraordinary acts of service and bravery are born.