Untitled (three sisters standing on staircase) c. 1950

Curator: This is an untitled photograph by Lucian and Mary Brown, held at the Harvard Art Museums, showing three sisters on a staircase. Editor: The composition immediately strikes me; the contrast is stark, creating an unsettling mood despite the seemingly simple subject. Curator: Consider that the Browns, as African American photographers, were working within a visual culture that often marginalized or misrepresented their community. Editor: The geometric formality of the staircase contrasts with the slightly chaotic patterned wallpaper. The girls are centered, but the photograph has an asymmetrical structure. Curator: Exactly. The domestic setting offers a glimpse into their world, a deliberate act of self-representation against prevailing stereotypes. Editor: Yes, and the negative exposure creates a sense of mystery. The reversal of light and shadow somehow adds depth. Curator: It's a powerful intervention, reclaiming the gaze. Editor: It truly makes you question the surface and underlying meanings.