Untitled (portrait of parents with baby) 1965

Curator: This intriguing photo, "Untitled (portrait of parents with baby)," is by Lucian and Mary Brown. It's a modest-sized gelatin silver print. Editor: The high contrast immediately strikes me. It's almost ghostly, this inversion of light and dark. Makes the scene feel both intimate and distant. Curator: The Browns, though not widely known, captured everyday Black life, countering dominant narratives. The formality in dress speaks to a specific aspiration. Editor: I see the composition as key. The seated family is juxtaposed with the photographer, another woman, creating a mirror effect. It complicates the viewer's role. Curator: Exactly! The act of photographing becomes part of the subject. It’s about representation, who gets to create and control images. Editor: The negative space, the stark background, it emphasizes the family unit. The geometric pattern formed by the chair is also intriguing. Curator: It challenges the traditional family portrait, pushing boundaries. A fascinating look at self-representation within a constrained historical context. Editor: Indeed. The stark beauty and unusual perspective leave a lasting impression.