Untitled (family portrait in living room with dog) c. 1950

Curator: Let’s discuss this photographic print by Lucian and Mary Brown, currently titled "Untitled (family portrait in living room with dog)" and part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: At first glance, the photographic negative evokes a sense of formality, yet the presence of the dog introduces a playful element. What do you think about its composition? Curator: I am interested in the socio-economic narrative embedded within this staged family portrait. The mid-century modern interior and the family's attire speak volumes about aspirations and social roles during that era. Editor: Indeed, the very act of commissioning or creating this portrait reveals a social drive to present a certain image. How was this printed, I wonder? What paper did they choose? Curator: We should consider how gender and identity are constructed through the arrangement of the figures, and the setting. The domestic space as a stage for presenting a carefully curated family ideal. Editor: I agree. And even in its inverted state as a negative, the photograph reveals details about material culture and the choices of display. Curator: It allows us to think critically about the constructed nature of the family, and the social pressures influencing their representation. Editor: A fascinating glimpse into their material world and their collective identity.