The Brown Sisters, Hartford, Connecticut 1976

This gelatin silver print, by Nicholas Nixon, captures a formal arrangement of four sisters in Hartford, Connecticut. The composition is strikingly symmetrical, with the women positioned almost shoulder to shoulder, each occupying a distinct segment of the frame. The use of black and white enhances the linear qualities of the work, drawing our attention to the contrasting patterns and textures of their clothing. Note how the repeated vertical stripes and geometric shapes create a visual rhythm, almost like a musical score, that both unites and differentiates the figures. The photograph’s power lies in its subversion of traditional portraiture. Rather than focusing on individual expressiveness, Nixon emphasizes the structural elements that bind the sisters together as a group. This formalism challenges our notions of identity, suggesting that meaning is constructed not through individual characteristics, but through the relationships and patterns that connect us. By minimizing background details, Nixon prompts us to consider how family and social structures shape our perceptions and identities.