Untitled (little girl and bassinet) c. 1950

Curator: This photograph, created by Lucian and Mary Brown, is titled "Untitled (little girl and bassinet)." The print measures roughly 5 by 4 inches. It strikes me as remarkably intimate. Editor: Intimate, and a bit unsettling. The high contrast and odd vantage point create a strange tension. One wonders about the child's relationship to the unseen occupant of the bassinet. Curator: The formal elements guide that tension, wouldn't you agree? The wickerwork of the bassinet, the floral wallpaper—their patterns contrast sharply with the child's simple, plaid overalls. Editor: Indeed. The Browns seem to be highlighting childhood innocence against a domestic backdrop, perhaps commenting on the social expectations placed on young women even then. The bassinet, after all, suggests a predetermined future. Curator: I see your point, but the beauty of its composition draws my eye more. Editor: It's a compelling snapshot, however one chooses to view it.