Untitled (boy shaking dog's paw) c. 1950

Curator: This is an untitled photograph by Lucian and Mary Brown, held in the Harvard Art Museums. It depicts a boy shaking a dog's paw. Editor: It strikes me as a moment of pure, unadulterated connection. The reversed tones give it a surreal quality, like a memory resurfacing. Curator: The Browns were known for their portraits of Black Americans, capturing everyday life. This image subverts societal expectations; the gesture of a handshake, usually reserved for human interaction, is here shared with an animal. Editor: Exactly, it challenges the human/animal binary. Who are we to dictate the terms of respect or friendship? This photograph, I think, points to a more inclusive understanding of community. Curator: It reminds us of the importance of visual representation and the power of images to shape our perceptions. Editor: Indeed. It reframes our understanding of kinship and challenges social hierarchies. Curator: Food for thought. Editor: Absolutely.