Untitled (woman in riding clothes seated in studio, right elbow on right knee) after 1940

This photograph of a woman in riding clothes, seated in a studio, was taken by Paul Gittings. Without a title, our attention is drawn to the traditional representations of gender and class. The woman's riding attire speaks to a privileged lifestyle, while her poised demeanor reflects the conventions of portraiture. However, there's also a challenge to these norms. Her gaze is direct, but her posture is relaxed, introducing a modern sensibility. The riding crop, a symbol of control, is held casually, as if she is familiar with such objects. This image exists in a space between traditional expectation and modern expression. It's a quiet moment that shapes our perception of societal roles. It evokes questions about the subjects own emotional experience, and the complex interplay of identity, representation, and individual agency.