Untitled (group portrait) c. 1920

Curator: Looking at this photograph, my first thought is how posed and self-conscious everyone seems. Editor: This is an “Untitled (group portrait)” by Martin Schweig, found in the collection of the Harvard Art Museums. Group portraits like this were common, used to solidify family identity. Curator: The wallpaper is interesting, a faded pastoral scene. It serves as a backdrop, hinting at prosperity, but also a kind of historical weight. And the children, positioned differently, suggests varied social roles. Editor: Certainly, the children's positioning speaks volumes about societal expectations and the performance of childhood. The boy centered, with his formal attire, signals a kind of inheritance, while the girl seems more decorative. Curator: The girl’s white dress and bow symbolize purity, the icon of childhood innocence carefully constructed for public consumption. It's an image, perhaps, more than a genuine representation. Editor: Yes, and such carefully constructed images remind us of the power dynamics embedded in seemingly simple family portraits. Food for thought indeed.