Untitled (young man posing in living room with mother and grandmother sitting in chair holding baby) 1951

Curator: This is an untitled photograph by Martin Schweig, currently held in the Harvard Art Museums collection. It captures a young man posing with his mother and grandmother, who is holding a baby. Editor: It feels like a staged family portrait—a bit formal, a bit awkward, almost dreamlike due to the photo's negative aesthetic. Curator: The inverted tones highlight the generational connection. The grandmother holding the newest member, while the mother and son stand as pillars. Editor: Yes, they're literally framed by the ornately decorated mirror behind them, reflecting societal expectations and the family legacy. I wonder what story this frozen moment holds. Curator: Perhaps it’s about continuity, the role of family in defining identity through time. Editor: Maybe. Or it’s just an interesting formal experiment using family. Either way, it’s hauntingly beautiful.