Untitled (portrait of girl dressed as cowgirl with gun, holster and boots) 1954

This photographic print by Paul Gittings captures a young girl embodying the spirit of the American West. Decked out in cowgirl attire complete with a gun, holster, and boots, she becomes an icon of freedom and adventure, echoing the tales of cowboys and frontierswomen. Consider the gun she holds. Its symbolism is deeply rooted in Western culture, representing power, justice, and the struggle for survival. This symbol is not unique to the American West. We can trace the archetype of the armed hero through time, from the ancient Greek warrior to the medieval knight, each wielding their weapon as a sign of authority and protection. The dreams of this archetype are passed down through collective memory, resurfacing in new contexts and forms. Here, the image engages with the subconscious desires for control and self-determination, projecting an ideal of the self as a figure of courage and autonomy. The cowgirl, like the figures of antiquity, becomes a potent symbol, continuously evolving as we seek to understand our place in the world.