Untitled (couple smiling at baby while sitting next to mirror on floor) 1948

Editor: This photograph by Martin Schweig shows a family gathered around a mirror. It seems very domestic, capturing an intimate moment. What can we say about the materials used to create the photo, or the process itself? Curator: Let's consider the materiality of photography. The silver gelatin print, its specific chemical process, influenced the aesthetic. The mirrored reflection further complicates the idea of authenticity, drawing attention to the image as a constructed object. How does the family's placement in relation to these objects speak to the social role of family portraiture? Editor: It’s interesting how you focus on the materials and their impact on the final image. It makes me wonder about the societal pressures and expectations that shaped the family's portrayal. Curator: Precisely. Thinking about photography as a manufactured object allows us to see the social and economic forces at play.