Untitled (portrait of older woman with corsage) c. 1940

Curator: This photographic print, residing here at the Harvard Art Museums, is an untitled portrait by Martin Schweig, portraying an older woman adorned with a corsage. Editor: She seems to emanate a quiet strength. It’s striking how the corsage softens her stern expression. Curator: Corsages at the time symbolized special occasions, possibly a celebratory event. The photograph likely served a public function, perhaps commemorating her achievements in a social sphere. Editor: The flowers and the small dog pin carry symbolic weight. They speak to nurture, companionship, and perhaps even a gentle authority over her immediate circle. Curator: Right, Schweig operated his St. Louis studio for decades. This would have been during a time when portrait photography served a different purpose than it does today. This was very carefully posed and meant to convey something. Editor: It really makes you think about the stories we attach to objects, and how photos, like this one, can become vessels for our memories. Curator: Absolutely, it speaks to our collective memory of societal structures. Editor: It all resonates deeply, making you wonder about the woman's inner world.