The Bellows Infants, Rockingham, Vermont, 1799 1963

Curator: This is "The Bellows Infants, Rockingham, Vermont, 1799" by Ann Parker. It's currently located at the Harvard Art Museums. What do you make of it? Editor: Immediately, I see a striking visual language. The two figures, rendered in sepia tones, present an intriguing blend of formality and naiveté. Curator: Absolutely, the piece resonates with early American folk art traditions, but viewed through a contemporary lens, I find it touches on themes of societal expectations placed on young children, especially girls. Editor: The pointed crowns and the checkered design of their gowns carry symbolic weight. I read a sense of aspiration, perhaps even a claim to a certain status or importance. Curator: And there's also the broader context of Vermont in the late 18th century, grappling with issues of identity and nationhood. These "infants" might be stand-ins for a newly forming American identity. Editor: Yes, seeing those historical undercurrents really enriches my experience of the work. Curator: Agreed, exploring the various layers is key.