Untitled (man facing groom and kneeling bride while taking ring from pillow at greek wedding) 1948

Editor: This photograph by Martin Schweig captures what appears to be a Greek wedding ceremony. The reversed tonality makes it ghostly. I wonder, what can we learn from this particular depiction of marriage? Curator: Well, the photograph's focus on ritual prompts us to consider marriage as a socially constructed institution. Who is allowed to marry, and under what conditions? How has the wedding ceremony historically served to reinforce power structures related to gender and class? Editor: So, you're saying it’s more than just a happy couple? Curator: Exactly. Photography freezes moments. What is frozen here? Consider the roles assigned, the expectations placed on individuals. What narratives are being reinforced? It makes you wonder about the individuals within. Editor: I never thought about it that way. It makes me want to learn more about how weddings reflect society.