Untitled (three women sitting on floor and chatting while holding book) 1940 - 1960

Curator: Martin Schweig's photographic work, *Untitled (three women sitting on floor and chatting while holding book)*, part of the Harvard Art Museums collection, captures what seems to be an intimate moment. Editor: There's a certain starkness to this inverted image. The women, bathed in this eerie glow, feel both present and distant, like figures from a dream. Curator: Yes, the image's materiality itself—a photographic negative—plays a crucial role. We see the world rendered in reverse, forcing us to consider how our perception is shaped by the materials and processes of representation. Editor: In a way, the reversal adds to the photograph's emotional weight. I imagine there were many technical choices made in the darkroom to achieve this specific look, each altering the photograph. Curator: Absolutely. And it reminds me that even the simplest snapshot is the result of labor and intent. It feels like an interesting glimpse into a past—both personal and societal—revealed through the deliberate manipulation of light and chemistry. Editor: It’s funny how inverting it only makes the image feel more accessible, like one could know these women.