Untitled (girl on rocking horse) c. 1950

Curator: This photograph, "Untitled (girl on rocking horse)," comes to us from the collaborative work of Lucian and Mary Brown. It's a gelatin silver print. Editor: It feels so immediate, so joyful. The girl’s expression – pure, unadulterated glee. A lovely snapshot of childhood. Curator: The rocking horse itself is an interesting motif – a symbol of play, but also of contained energy. It suggests both freedom and limitation, which is quite potent when you consider the societal expectations placed on young girls, even unconsciously. Editor: I suppose. For me, though, it’s just a moment perfectly captured. Look at the slight blur, the composition with that packed bookshelf in the background--it gives me a pang of nostalgia. Curator: The domestic objects in the background certainly root this image in a specific cultural context. They speak volumes about family life and values. Editor: It's fascinating how a simple image can evoke such different responses, isn't it?