The Brown Sisters, Marblehead, Massachusetts 2002

Nicholas Nixon made this gelatin silver print, "The Brown Sisters, Marblehead, Massachusetts," part of an ongoing series of annual portraits. This image, like the others in the series, explores the passage of time and the evolving relationships between these four sisters. Nixon’s consistent use of black and white photography strips away the distractions of color. This enforces a focus on the changing nuances of their faces and body language. Photographs like this one challenge traditional portraiture’s association with wealth and status, instead presenting an intimate view of ordinary lives. This was made in America, a culture obsessed with youth and beauty. Nixon’s work stands in stark contrast, offering an unvarnished look at aging. Understanding this photograph means looking beyond its surface to the social and cultural contexts it engages. Photographic archives, family histories, and studies on aging can provide a fuller appreciation of its depth. The meaning of art is always contingent on its social and institutional context.