Untitled (young woman in dress posing in front of flowers at formal party) 1950

Editor: This is an "Untitled" photograph of a young woman by Martin Schweig. It's a small, silver gelatin print, showing her dressed up for a party with giant poinsettias behind her. She seems so poised. What do you make of this image? Curator: Ah, yes, it's like stepping into a dream, isn't it? The inverted tones give it such a ghostly, nostalgic air. It feels like a memory, slightly out of reach. The poinsettias almost overwhelm her, but she holds her ground, doesn’t she? Editor: They do! It's a bit surreal, almost like she's being consumed by the festivity. Curator: Maybe that's Schweig's point, no? That even in our most glamorous moments, we're always a little bit… vulnerable? Or perhaps, beautifully adorned. I wonder, what kind of story do you think she is telling? Editor: That's such a good question. I'm not sure, but I definitely see it differently now. Curator: Isn't it amazing how a little shift in perspective can unlock a whole new world?