Untitled (little girl) c. 1920

Editor: This is Martin Schweig's "Untitled (little girl)," a black and white photograph. I’m struck by the texture of her dress and bonnet – it makes me wonder about their materiality. What do you see in this piece, considering its materials and production? Curator: Well, let's consider the photographic process. It's a manufactured image, not a unique handmade object, yet it documents material culture: the dress, the bonnet. Think about who made these garments, under what conditions, and who could afford such finery for a child's portrait. Editor: So, the photo isn’t just of a girl; it's about the social context of clothing production and consumption. Curator: Precisely! This image captures a moment embedded in the material realities of its time. We can examine the labor behind the lace as much as the girl herself.