Untitled (woman seated with cat on sofa in living room) c. 1940

Paul Gittings captured this photograph of a woman seated with a cat on a sofa. The scene invites us to consider the symbolic weight of domesticity and companionship. The cat, held in the woman's lap, is an ancient symbol. In ancient Egypt, it was revered, associated with goddesses and protectors of the home. Over time, the cat became a multifaceted symbol across cultures. Here, the cat seems to echo the sitter's calm, self-possessed demeanor. The woman's seated pose on the sofa, her hands gently holding the cat, evokes a sense of intimacy, an unspoken narrative of comfort and mutual affection. This pose resonates with depictions of women in domestic settings throughout art history, reflecting a cyclical return to themes of nurturing, protection, and the private sphere. The image captures an emotional moment, speaking to our own longing for connection.