Abstract
Sally Mann’s 1989 photograph The New Mothers contradicts ideals of childhood innocence. The clothing and accessories worn by the image’s two girls engage conventions of childhood now more than two centuries old, only to pit them against body language. The New Mothers is as disturbing as our beliefs in the visual signs of childhood are deeply ingrained, and as our vision of childhood is now threatened by change. Superficially, The New Mothers belongs to one of the most widespread and cherished types of current photography: the snapshot of cute children playing childishly, all the more childishly because they are masquerading unconvincingly as adults. In the case of The New Mothers (Figure 1), two girls wearing special clothing take their dolls for a stroll. Anne Higonnet and Cassi Albinson
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
