Races, Negroes: United States. Virginia. Hampton. Hampton Normal and Industrial School: Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute, Hampton, Va.: Rev. H.B. Frissell. D.D. Principal. c. 1903

Editor: This is a photographic portrait of Rev. H.B. Frissell, Principal of Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute, taken by Frances Benjamin Johnston. It has such a serious, almost austere quality. What sort of cultural memory do you see embedded in this image? Curator: The profile view and stark lighting create a sense of authority and intellect, drawing upon a visual language of leadership that dates back centuries. Can you see how that also conveys a sense of the weighty burden of his role, shaping the education of Black and Native American students in a segregated America? Editor: I do now. It’s like the image itself is a symbol, communicating more than just his likeness. Curator: Precisely. It's a powerful reminder of the complexities of representation and the enduring influence of visual archetypes. Editor: That makes me see the portrait in a completely different light.