This black-and-white photograph is typical of Lola Álvarez Bravo's work in that it combines a strong sense of Mexican nationalist pride with universal human emotions and an emphasis on abstract form. While the photograph itself is unposed, its composition has been carefully planned, creating a sense of mystery because of the mother's unseen face; the child's startled gaze, focused directly at the camera; and the cropped forms of other people on either side.

The woman's hairstyle-an unbound single braid that appears to be unraveling, plus a comb-and this particular type of wraparound skirt come from the town of Hueyapan in a mountainous area of south-central Mexico called Morelos. Like Frida Kahlo, Álvarez Bravo celebrated the traditional costumes and customs of her country's varied regions. At the same time, the artist has captured a casual, yet elegant asymmetry-with the child peeking over her mother's left shoulder and the mother's earring gleaming on the right.

Adding to the visual interest of this photograph are the irregular puddles of light falling onto the mother's back and the contrast between the delicately embroidered borders of the neckline and sleeves of the little girl's shirt with the unadorned fabric worn by the adults in the picture.