Untitled (large Christmas tree, tinsel, toy village) c. 1945

Curator: The high contrast creates an ethereal feeling, almost as if the Christmas tree exists more as an idea than a physical object. Editor: Indeed. This photograph, attributed to Harris & Ewing, and held in the Harvard Art Museums, captures a domestic Christmas scene; note the large tree, tinsel, and toy village, all rendered in striking black and white. Curator: The tonality is key; the negative space is almost as important as the tree itself. It forces us to consider the very essence of "Christmas"—how does it manifest visually? Editor: And how it was, perhaps, intended to manifest. Early photographs often served to cement cultural practices, idealizing domesticity. The Christmas tree here represents not just a holiday, but a burgeoning consumer culture. Curator: I agree. The stark composition guides the eye upward, suggesting aspiration. Editor: Perhaps. The image acts as a window into a specific moment of cultural formation. It provides a compelling glimpse into the past.