Untitled (Virginia Augusta Milan (1905-1988)) 1944

Editor: This is a photographic portrait of Virginia Augusta Milan, taken by Hamblin Studio. It's a striking image, almost ethereal in its stark contrasts. What can you tell me about how photography like this one was viewed at the time? Curator: This photographic negative offers a glimpse into the social and political landscape surrounding portraiture. Commercial studios played a key role in shaping public image and documenting social status. Were these accessible to everyone, or were there barriers? Editor: I imagine access wasn't equal. Were these portraits used to reinforce particular social hierarchies? Curator: Precisely. Think about who was being photographed, how they were being represented, and who had the power to commission and control these images. What do you think this image communicates? Editor: It makes me think about the importance of representation, and who gets to be seen and remembered. Curator: Exactly, and how museums, like this one at Harvard, play a role in shaping that narrative today.