Untitled (mother with two children) c. 1910

Curator: This is an intriguing photographic image, "Untitled (mother with two children)," attributed to the Hamblin Studio. Editor: It’s luminous, almost ethereal. The reversed tones and the strong light create a dreamy, otherworldly atmosphere. It’s captivating and a little unsettling. Curator: It's interesting how the Hamblin Studio captured family portraits. Examining it through a historical lens, this representation of motherhood seems both idealized and somewhat removed. Editor: I am struck by the textures present, the gown's beading, for example, suggesting painstaking labour. This photograph freezes a specific moment of both societal expectation and material production. Curator: Absolutely. The very act of commissioning this portrait from a studio reflects a specific social and economic status. It speaks volumes about the aspirations and values of the family depicted. Editor: It makes you consider all the labour, skill and materials that go into portraiture, and what it says about the family’s place in society. It’s fascinating.