Untitled (studio portrait of woman wearing dress with two ties on collar) 1945

Curator: This is an untitled studio portrait by Martin Schweig. The dimensions are roughly 12 by 9 centimeters, and it's currently held here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's striking—the high contrast gives it an almost ethereal, ghostly quality. The sitter’s expression is hard to read. Curator: Indeed, the negative image throws the reading off. Studio portraits like this one were a common way for individuals to document their status and project a certain image. Editor: Look at the details in the woman's dress, those two ties on the collar, and the necklace. The play of light and shadow emphasizes their form, almost like sculptural elements. Curator: Exactly. Consider the social context—photography was becoming more accessible, but still carried a certain weight, especially for women and their representation in the public sphere. Editor: The starkness draws my attention to the geometry of the composition. Even the subtle tilt of her head contributes to the overall balance. Curator: Well, considering this portrait, one can appreciate how gender and class were carefully constructed and reinforced. Editor: It makes you consider how much control she had over her own image and to what degree she wished to present herself through this medium.