Untitled (woman in cornfield) c. 1950

Editor: This is an untitled photograph by Lucian and Mary Brown, showing a woman in a cornfield. The small scale and high contrast give it a very intimate feel. What symbols or cultural references stand out to you? Curator: The corn, of course, is a potent symbol. It represents sustenance, fertility, and growth – deeply connected to the earth and cycles of life. Does her presence amidst the corn evoke any particular narrative for you? Editor: I think she looks lost and alone. But maybe the corn is also protective, like a hidden place. Curator: Precisely! The image oscillates between vulnerability and resilience, echoing the dual nature of the agricultural experience. It’s a powerful representation of a relationship with nature. Editor: I see it now. Thank you! Curator: My pleasure. It is rewarding to find complex meaning in the everyday.