Untitled (portrait of two children with hobby horse) c. 1945

Editor: This is an untitled photograph of two children with a hobby horse by John Deusing. The high contrast gives it a rather ghostly feeling, almost like a memory. What strikes you about it? Curator: The image's historical context is interesting. Given the children's attire and the presence of the hobby horse, it likely reflects the values of childhood and domesticity of the early 20th century. The photograph, like many others of the time, might have served as a symbol of social status and family prosperity. Editor: So, beyond a family portrait, it's also making a statement? Curator: Exactly! The photograph's circulation, perhaps in family albums or even local exhibitions, would have contributed to shaping perceptions of ideal childhood and family life within its community. This artwork serves as a window into understanding the socio-political expectations surrounding family during that era. I wonder who saw this image and what it meant to them.