Untitled (woman with infant) c. 1910

Curator: This is a photograph by Martin Schweig, presently titled "Untitled (woman with infant)" and held in the collections of the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: The sepia tones lend it a nostalgic, almost dreamlike quality. The soft focus creates a very gentle mood. Curator: These photographic portrait studios were a relatively new phenomenon, becoming increasingly accessible to the rising middle class and allowing them to participate in visual culture as both consumers and subjects. Editor: I'm drawn to the interplay of light and shadow on the infant's gown. The way it drapes suggests a vulnerability and innocence, while the mother's darker clothing signifies solidity and protection. Curator: Absolutely. The photograph can also be considered a symbol of changing roles for women in society, negotiating the boundaries between domesticity and public identity during the period. Editor: A lovely capture— the composition and tonal range definitely evoke a sense of tenderness and maternal connection. Curator: Indeed, it presents a fascinating lens through which to examine the social values and artistic conventions of its era.