Untitled (baby on rocking horse) c. 1950

Curator: This is an intriguing, albeit small, gelatin silver print—an "Untitled" work by Lucian and Mary Brown, depicting a baby on a rocking horse. Editor: It's got this ghostly, dreamlike quality, right? Like a forgotten memory surfacing. Curator: Exactly. The inversion of tones contributes to that ethereal feel, unsettling our typical perceptions of childhood innocence. Think of the rocking horse as a symbol—an early encounter with societal expectations, perhaps? Editor: Or maybe just a kid having fun, rocking away the afternoon! I love the composition, though. The hand reaching in from the side feels almost voyeuristic. Curator: That intrusion speaks to power dynamics, the observing gaze, and the constructed nature of identity from a young age. The print raises fascinating questions about gender, representation, and agency. Editor: I get that, but it's also just... tender, you know? That little kid, so focused on their ride. Curator: Yes, that tension between the personal and the political is precisely where its strength lies. Editor: I think it’s a powerful image. I keep coming back to the feeling of a childhood almost remembered.