Untitled (family portrait, sitting on fence outside) c. 1950

Curator: Here we have an untitled work by Lucian and Mary Brown, a family portrait taken outdoors. The dimensions are approximately 10 by 12 centimeters. Editor: It has a strange, ethereal quality, almost like a dream. The inverted tones give it a haunting, otherworldly feel. Curator: Considering its possible time, could the choice of the family to position themselves on a fence speak to broader themes of societal boundaries and class? The father stands behind, almost supervising. Editor: That fence is interesting. Fences often symbolize boundaries, privacy, or exclusion. But there's also an element of casualness, suggesting a space where public and private realms meet. The dog adds a layer of fidelity and domesticity too. Curator: Placing the family group in the context of domesticity definitely allows us to read more into the family dynamic, the dog is a clear symbol of love and family connection. Editor: The inverted tones give the scene an element of timelessness. I find this portrait more compelling as a meditation on familial bonds. Curator: Agreed, a simple portrait that is more complicated than it initially appears.