Untitled (man and baby looking into mirror) c. 1950

Curator: This photograph, currently titled "Untitled (man and baby looking into mirror)", is credited to Lucian and Mary Brown. It is part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. Editor: It's striking, isn't it? The tonal inversion gives a ghostly feel, yet the warmth between father and child reflected in the mirror comes through. Curator: It is compelling. The mirror, a common motif, here reflects not just their image, but a narrative shaped by social roles and expectations of family. Editor: And the labor in producing this physical print. The chemicals, the paper, the act of developing—it’s all a testament to the effort of creating this family memory. Curator: Indeed, photography as a medium provided avenues for family documentation and the construction of identity. Editor: Seeing the process makes me value it more, you know? Curator: I agree, considering its cultural and historical implications adds another layer to appreciating the image.