Untitled (portrait of three men and little boy) c. 1950

Editor: This is an untitled photograph by Lucian and Mary Brown, currently residing at the Harvard Art Museums. It depicts three men and a young boy, all formally dressed. What strikes me is how posed and perhaps even staged it feels. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Well, the formality itself speaks volumes. Consider the period in which this was likely taken; such portraits were often commissioned to project a certain image of respectability and success. How might the social standing of the subjects influence the way they are presented? Editor: So, the image isn't just a record but also a construction of identity for public consumption? Curator: Precisely! It’s a performance, shaped by both the subjects and the photographers, highlighting the complex role of photography in shaping social narratives. This has really opened my eyes to the socio-political context of portraiture. Editor: Indeed. It highlights the power dynamics inherent in image-making and representation.