Untitled (standing couple) c. 1920

Curator: Looking at this photograph, "Untitled (standing couple)" by Martin Schweig, now in the Harvard Art Museums, I’m immediately struck by how it evokes a sense of formality. Editor: Yes, there’s a definite weight to it, a gravity. The patterned dress of the woman, though beautiful, also feels somehow like a uniform, adding to that sense of reserved presentation. Curator: Absolutely. And think of the power dynamics inherent in portraiture of this kind. Photography in the early 20th century served as a tool for solidifying social status, for visibly asserting belonging to a certain class. Editor: You can sense that aspiration. There’s a tension between the individual, attempting to shine, and the symbols around them doing the heavy lifting. The pearls, her dress pattern, what might they signify? I see a hint of flora there. Curator: Perhaps aspirations to nature and growth? This image enters the public sphere after all. Schweig, with studios in St. Louis, likely catered to a specific clientele who wished to project this particular image of themselves. Editor: Right, and that projection is so fascinating. It makes you wonder about the stories behind those carefully chosen details and what they wanted to communicate to the world. Curator: It's a peek into a specific moment in time, a carefully constructed representation of social identity. Editor: And that image of social identity, both the obvious symbols and the hidden nuances, are still potent today.