Untitled (girl in hat and gingham dress) 1962

Editor: This is an untitled photographic negative by Lucian and Mary Brown, showing a girl in a hat and gingham dress. The negative gives it a slightly eerie feel. What stands out to you about it? Curator: The image, especially as a negative, speaks to the power dynamics inherent in portraiture. Who is being represented, and how? The girl’s hat, adorned with what appears to be a snake, adds a layer of complexity, perhaps subverting the innocence typically associated with childhood images. Do you see the backdrop? Editor: Yes, it almost looks like clouds. I didn’t think of the power dynamics at play here. Curator: The theatrical backdrop further emphasizes the constructed nature of the image. It invites us to consider the social and cultural context in which childhood was being portrayed and consumed. Editor: I'm realizing how much more there is than just a simple portrait. Thanks for pointing out the nuances of the image's context!