Untitled (fashion portrait of woman in dark coat holding glove in stylized pose) c. 1961 - 1962

Curator: Up next is an untitled fashion portrait by Martin Schweig, currently held at the Harvard Art Museums. The photographic print measures about 5 by 4 inches. What strikes you about this image? Editor: The starkness. It feels like a snapshot of a very particular, perhaps fleeting, moment in time, one very concerned with the performance of femininity. Curator: Indeed. I'm interested in how Schweig uses the photographic process here. The stark contrast emphasizes the textures of the dress and the glove. What does this say about the labor involved in image making? Editor: It's also fascinating to consider how this image, regardless of the artist's intent, could be seen as either celebrating or critiquing the fashion industry. Curator: Precisely! It really highlights how the final presentation can dictate the image's socio-political impact. Editor: It makes you wonder about the relationship between the artist and his subject, too. It’s a striking image. Curator: Agreed; there's much to unpack here about both process and context.