Untitled (two children with baby) c. 1950

Curator: Here we have an untitled piece by Lainson Studios, held at the Harvard Art Museums. It features two children and a baby. Editor: Whoa, it’s like a ghostly snapshot! The inverted tones give it this eerie, otherworldly feel, like a memory fading. Curator: Studio portraits like this were a common way to mark childhood milestones. Think about the socio-economic factors that allowed families to commission such work. Editor: Makes you wonder about their story, right? Were they happy, mischievous, or just posing stiffly for the camera? That baby looks a bit concerned, to be honest. Curator: It’s interesting to consider how photography, even then, shaped perceptions of family and childhood. Editor: Well, whether it's a happy portrait or a staged scene, it’s a glimpse into their lives. I see both nostalgia and a tiny bit of sadness in this image. Curator: Indeed, the photographic portrait became a powerful tool in constructing and preserving family narratives. Editor: Agreed. And it's those untold stories that keep us coming back, right?