Untitled (baby seated at table) c. 1950

Curator: Here we have an "Untitled" photograph of a baby seated at a table, by Lucian and Mary Brown. It’s a small gelatin silver print. What’s your first impression? Editor: Eerie. Like a memory playing backwards. The negative space feels heavy, almost oppressive. Curator: The image is a negative, yes, which certainly contributes to that sensation. The child's gesture, hands covering the face, is quite intriguing. Perhaps a game of peek-a-boo, or a moment of shyness? Editor: Could be either. To me, the gesture and the inverted tones suggest a deeper, primal vulnerability. Curator: Interesting. The photograph offers a glimpse into childhood that's both intimate and unsettling. Editor: Right. It makes you wonder about the hidden corners of our early experiences.