Untitled (photograph of "Tranquility": portrait of woman in hat) c. 1940

This is an untitled photograph by Paul Gittings, of his portrait "Tranquility", housed at the Harvard Art Museums. The subdued monochromatic tones immediately evoke a sense of calm introspection. Looking closely, Gittings masterfully uses light and shadow to sculpt the woman's face. The soft gradations of tone create a delicate balance between form and ethereality. Notice how the composition is carefully framed to focus our attention on the subject's contemplative gaze. This aesthetic recalls the pictorialist movement with its emphasis on atmospheric effects and subjective expression. However, Gittings doesn't merely reproduce reality, but rather interprets it through a lens of his own aesthetic vision. The photograph's formal qualities invite us to consider the interplay between representation and interpretation, and the role of the artist in shaping our perception of the world.