Untitled (baby on changing table) c. 1950

Curator: Looking at this photograph, “Untitled (baby on changing table)" by Lucian and Mary Brown, currently residing in the Harvard Art Museums, the first thing that strikes me is the stark contrast. Editor: Yes, there’s almost a clinical feel due to the high contrast and the textures of the surfaces, which emphasizes the vulnerability of the child in its care setting. Curator: Exactly. The materials of the changing table—its construction, the hanging fabric—suggest a specific kind of institutional environment, maybe speaking to broader themes about infant care practices. Editor: I agree. The composition is interesting. The negative space around the baby really isolates the figure, focusing our attention on the form of the small, vulnerable child. Curator: Seeing how the materials and design create a discourse is important to understand their position and relationship to cultural norms. Editor: Ultimately, the piece invites contemplation on the nature of infancy and the clinical gaze through its striking form and stark imagery.