Nina 1936

Editor: Here we have Nathan Lerner's photograph, "Nina," taken in 1936. It’s a gelatin-silver print, and I'm immediately drawn to the contrast between the rough texture of the brick wall and the softer fabric of the girl's coat. What can you tell me about it? Curator: Let’s consider the socio-economic conditions that would necessitate using gelatin silver prints. In 1936, readily available and relatively inexpensive compared to other photographic processes. Also, note the subject. Lerner positions this young girl in what appears to be the street. Why? Editor: To show the environment she's in, her reality? The way the wall is peeling and damaged. Curator: Exactly. Think about Lerner's intent. Was it merely aesthetic, or was he engaging with the social issues of his time? Look closely at the coat. Note the texture suggesting tweed or a similarly robust, manufactured fabric made to endure labor and harsh conditions. How does the material composition speak to the social context of the work? Editor: It makes me think about who would have worn this coat, how often it was worn, and even who made it. Was it mass-produced, contributing to labor issues in the garment industry? Curator: Precisely. We need to consider the systems of labor and consumption that underpin the very image. It allows us to question traditional ideas of portraiture and think about the production of this moment. It also challenges the art world's conventional focus solely on the "artist" and neglects these surrounding economic circumstances. Editor: It completely shifts how I see this photo! I was just admiring its visual qualities. Curator: Analyzing the materiality gives this image layers of new information. Always remember: the how, the what, and the who that make a work like "Nina" possible.