Untitled (elderly woman with two small children) c. 1950

Curator: This is an Untitled photograph by John Howell, part of the Harvard Art Museums collection, depicting an elderly woman with two small children. The image is in negative, roughly 4 by 5 inches. Editor: It’s striking how the negative transforms a domestic scene into something eerie. The textures of the fabrics and skin seem almost exaggerated. Curator: Howell's work often captured everyday life, but his choices – like the negative format – challenge our perceptions of normalcy. Consider how the reversal highlights social dynamics and the roles of women within the family. Editor: And the material itself, the photographic negative, reminds us that this is a manufactured image, mediated through a specific process and set of materials. The dog in the corner is a nice touch. Curator: Indeed. The composition subtly places the children on a literal and figurative pedestal. Howell is reminding us about how society views and literally frames children. Editor: Looking at the craft, it shows an interesting blend of candidness and control. The details in the lace collar, the way light shapes the figures. Curator: It’s a quiet commentary on both domestic life and the act of representation. Editor: Absolutely. There’s something compelling in Howell’s use of everyday materials to render such a singular and resonant image.