Helen Sears (with vase of lilies) 1891

Curator: This photograph by Sarah Choate Sears, held at the Harvard Art Museums, is titled "Helen Sears (with vase of lilies)". Editor: It feels like a memory surfaced—a sepia-toned innocence gazing back at us. The lilies are so vibrant, almost obscuring the child. Curator: Lilies often symbolize purity and innocence, which of course aligns with childhood. Sears was quite active in photography circles, even exhibiting with Stieglitz. Editor: Was this kind of portraiture common then? It feels very staged but intimate, a constructed authenticity maybe? Curator: Indeed. Consider the socio-economic context: Sears was part of a wealthy circle, and this form of artistic photography was gaining traction within those circles as a means of self-expression. These were affluent women capturing their world. Editor: The lilies have an almost overwhelming presence—a potent symbol intertwined with the child’s fleeting moment in time. Curator: It's fascinating how symbols and history intertwine, isn't it? Both reflecting and shaping our perceptions.