The Brown Sisters, Chattam, Massachusetts 1987

Editor: This is Nicholas Nixon's "The Brown Sisters, Chattham, Massachusetts," from 1987, a gelatin silver print. It’s striking how raw and honest these portraits are, especially captured in black and white. What draws your eye when you look at this piece? Curator: I am struck by the passage of time so plainly visible on each face, etched with memory, joy, and perhaps some sorrow. It feels very immediate. Think of family portraiture through history; the sitters usually sought to project an image of wealth or social status. How do these women depart from that tradition? Editor: They appear vulnerable. It’s interesting that he photographed them annually for so long. Does the consistency of the composition play into how we perceive the passage of time? Curator: Absolutely. The fixed arrangement becomes a symbolic anchor. The sequencing underscores themes of continuity and change – cycles of life made evident. Their evolving expressions and the gradual deepening of lines become visual metaphors. Where do you see these cycles manifest? Editor: I guess in their clothing, hairstyles… even the slight shifts in their gazes over time. The symbolism feels so subtle. Is Nixon commenting on societal expectations of women as they age, perhaps? Curator: It's less a pointed critique and more of a quiet observation. Their unwavering gaze forces us to confront our own perceptions and perhaps biases surrounding aging and beauty. In a world obsessed with defying time, this series serves as a potent reminder of our shared human experience and, ultimately, of mortality. What do you make of this stillness, or lack thereof? Editor: It gives the photograph a more thoughtful character. Thank you for making me see the connection between time and symbolism. Curator: Indeed, a powerful reflection on time, memory, and human connection.