Untitled (girl with bird on head) c. 1951

Curator: This photographic negative, currently titled "Untitled (girl with bird on head)," comes to us from Lucian and Mary Brown. It's part of the Harvard Art Museums collection, measuring about 5 by 4 inches. Editor: My first thought? Innocence tinged with something…almost otherworldly. That stark contrast between light and dark, the bird perched so calmly…it feels like a symbol, but of what? Curator: Birds often symbolize freedom, the soul, or even the Holy Spirit in Western art. Here, the girl's placid expression, combined with the bird's presence, could be seen as an evocation of purity or a connection to nature, common themes in early 20th century photography aimed at domestic audiences. Editor: Or perhaps the bird is more personal. A familiar, a spirit guide even. The image feels so intimate, so private. I wonder about the psychological connection between this child and the bird. Curator: Without more context—knowing the Browns' intentions, or the girl's relationship to them—it’s difficult to pinpoint a precise meaning. But the photograph itself offers a glimpse into a world where childhood wonder and symbolic weight coexist. Editor: Yes, it reminds us how art can unlock profound feeling, even within the simplest of scenes.