Untitled (portrait of an older couple) c. 1945

Curator: This is an untitled portrait of an older couple by Martin Schweig, it’s a small gelatin silver print, roughly 15 by 20 centimeters. Editor: There's something so starkly honest about it. The way they both gaze directly at the camera. It feels less posed and more...observed. Curator: The composition reinforces that directness; the subjects are centered, almost symmetrical, drawing attention to their faces. There’s a formal quality. Editor: Yes, but also a tenderness. Look at the subtle differences in their expressions – the hint of a smile in his eyes, the slight pursing of her lips. It suggests a lifetime shared, all in those tiny details. It’s really quite beautiful. Curator: The materiality is also compelling. The grainy texture of the gelatin silver print lends a sense of age and authenticity. One can almost imagine the artist in his studio, capturing this moment. Editor: Indeed. It certainly gives a lot of food for thought. It's almost like gazing into one’s family album.