Untitled (two re-photographed 19th century images of couple in coats and man in suit and coat) 1900 - 1950

Curator: Here we have Martin Schweig's "Untitled (two re-photographed 19th century images of couple in coats and man in suit and coat)." It features two small re-photographed portraits, each about 10 by 13 centimeters. The work is now held in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: The stark contrast of the photographic negatives creates a haunting atmosphere. The intimate scale emphasizes the ghostly quality of these unearthed images. Curator: Note how Schweig re-photographed the original images, calling attention to the process itself. The visible framing becomes integral to the composition, layering time and representation. Editor: This act of re-photography is key. It makes me think about how materials and processes shape not only the image but also our understanding of history, highlighting photography's role in constructing memory and meaning. Curator: Indeed, the formal repetition and inversion invite reflection on the nature of portraiture itself, its subjects, and the gaze. Editor: Precisely, and considering the labor of rediscovering and recontextualizing these portraits, Schweig offers a critical commentary on art production and consumption. Curator: It is a piece that encourages us to delve beneath surface appearances. Editor: A haunting meditation on time, process, and photographic memory.