Untitled (double studio portrait of man in naval uniform) 1944

Curator: This is an untitled double studio portrait by Martin Schweig, part of the Harvard Art Museums collection. It depicts a man in a U.S. Navy uniform. Editor: Immediately, I notice the high contrast—almost ghostly. It feels like a memory, a moment captured and then…faded, maybe? Curator: Indeed, the negative print enhances the sense of a past moment. It invites us to consider the cultural significance of naval uniforms and the construction of identity within the military. Editor: I love how the duplication almost gives it a sense of unease, or double vision. Like, is this one man’s experience, or the experience of many, echoing across time? Curator: The repetition underscores the systemic nature of military service and its impact on individuals. It prompts questions about conformity, discipline, and the narratives we tell about war and peace. Editor: It really makes you think, doesn't it? Both about the individual and the larger forces at play.