Untitled (Madonna Lily) c. 1892 - 1905

Curator: The stark contrast here really draws me in; the shadows feel so deep. Editor: Indeed. This is Sarah Choate Sears’s photograph, “Untitled (Madonna Lily).” Sears, who lived from 1858 to 1935, captured this image with great attention to light and form. Curator: The choice to isolate the lily against that black backdrop enhances its purity. Lilies have long been symbolic in religious and secular art, often representing innocence and resurrection. Editor: The composition is beautifully balanced. The upward thrust of the stem and the delicate curve of the petals create such a dynamic tension within the frame. Curator: As a woman artist of her time, Sears navigated a complex social landscape. Photography offered her a space for self-expression, away from the male-dominated art world. Editor: I agree, and Sears' mastery of light really emphasizes the structure of the flower; you can see how she was trying to capture the very essence of the bloom. Curator: It's fascinating to consider this work in light of the emerging role of women in photography during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Editor: This image truly marries formal elegance with a quiet, symbolic power. It's a striking, contemplative work.