Untitled (nine children posed sitting in front of fireplace decorated for Christmas) 1970

Editor: This is an untitled photograph by Martin Schweig showing nine children seated before a Christmas fireplace, and it’s only 6 by 8 centimeters. The composition is quite striking. What do you see in this piece from a formal perspective? Curator: Observe how Schweig uses the rigid symmetry of the mantelpiece and flanking drapes to frame the asymmetry and variable attire of the children. The tonal inversions further abstract the subjects. Editor: So the negative’s stark contrasts and careful arrangement are key? Curator: Precisely. Consider how the artist exploits the photographic medium to create a study in light and shadow, line and form. It is through these formal elements that the work conveys meaning. Editor: I never thought about it that way. Thanks for helping me think through the composition. Curator: My pleasure. Paying close attention to the construction of an image truly enriches its impact.