Untitled (studio portrait of couple with woman wearing large striped bow) 1953

Curator: This is an untitled studio portrait by Martin Schweig, currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. What strikes you first? Editor: The bold bow tie! It’s so oversized, almost cartoonish. It feels like a statement. Curator: A statement, indeed. The oversized nature of the bow perhaps symbolizes a flaunted independence. We see this often with portraiture as well. Editor: Right, how does the making of this image relate to societal values regarding relationships, class, or gender? Curator: Given its context, the very act of commissioning such a portrait suggests a desire for upward mobility, a claim on a particular kind of respectability. Editor: So, more than just a picture, it's a material declaration. Fascinating to think about its lasting symbolic weight. Curator: Precisely. It speaks volumes about the era and the couple's aspirations. Editor: I'll definitely be pondering the hidden messages embedded in that striking bow.