Untitled (woman with curly hair) c. 1925

Curator: What a captivating image, this "Untitled (woman with curly hair)" by Martin Schweig. The Harvard Art Museums holds this silver gelatin print, and its dimensions are roughly 8 5/8 x 5 5/8 inches. Editor: There's a strong sense of Old Hollywood glamour, wouldn't you agree? The soft focus and chiaroscuro lighting create a very stylized portrait. Curator: Precisely. The material qualities of this gelatin silver print—the very process of its making—allowed for such artistic control over tonality. This allowed studios to produce a very specific image for mass consumption. Editor: And formally, the composition is so effective. The spiral curls mirror the curve of her smile, drawing the eye and creating a pleasing visual harmony. Curator: It speaks to the cultural impact of the photography industry on creating beauty standards. Editor: Well, I see a portrait that captures a timeless elegance through careful orchestration of light and form. Curator: I appreciate your insights, but, in the end, I keep thinking about the labor behind the camera and in the darkroom.