Untitled (child in water) c. 1950

Editor: This is a small, undated photograph by Lucian and Mary Brown, simply titled "Untitled (child in water)." The negative gives it an eerie feel. What can you tell me about the materiality of this image? Curator: The photographic negative itself is key. Consider the labor involved in creating this image, from mixing chemicals to the printing process. What social context might have influenced their choice to document this seemingly everyday scene? Editor: Perhaps the rising popularity of photography made documenting daily life more accessible? Curator: Precisely. And consider the consumption of images like these. Was it meant for private viewing, or did it circulate more widely? It all speaks to the process of image-making and its place in society. Editor: That's fascinating. I hadn't considered the photograph itself as a product of labor and consumption.