Untitled (groom throwing garter to men in wedding reception dance hall) 1955

Curator: This gelatin silver print by Martin Schweig captures a wedding reception, specifically the groom throwing the garter. It feels almost staged, yet candid. Editor: It evokes a sense of performative masculinity, doesn't it? All these men vying for the garter, it's a ritualistic display of presumed virility. Curator: Precisely. And consider the socio-economic context of wedding traditions – the garter toss, a relic of earlier customs involving claims over the bride's clothing and a symbolic transfer of good luck. Editor: I see it as a visual document of evolving social mores, the photograph itself playing a role in shaping and perpetuating these rituals. Are we moving towards inclusivity, or simply masking old power structures? Curator: Good point. The Harvard Art Museums provides a space where we can examine those structures—and ask these questions. Editor: It invites critical reflection on gender, tradition, and the very act of image-making.