Untitled (baby yawning) c. 1950

Editor: Here we have an untitled photograph by Lucian and Mary Brown of a baby yawning. The negative exposure gives the image a ghostly feel. What strikes you about the composition? Curator: The stark contrast creates a visual tension, emphasizing the infant’s open mouth, a void amidst the lighter tones. Notice how the textile backdrop, despite its texture, recedes, focusing our gaze on the central form. Editor: So, it's the formal elements creating that intense focus? Curator: Precisely. The formal arrangement guides our reading, independent of narrative. I find that powerful. Editor: I agree, I see the image in a new light now!