Untitled (portrait of girl with ringlets in dress, seated, holding Mother Goose book) c. 1955

Paul Gittings created this vintage portrait of a young girl with ringlets, seated and holding a "Mother Goose" book, using an unknown photographic process. The image presents a mid-century view of childhood, marked by innocence and cultural conditioning. The girl’s dress and carefully styled hair speak to societal expectations placed on young girls, indicative of a time when outward appearances often mirrored inner virtues, or so the story went. The "Mother Goose" book is more than a mere prop; it’s a symbol of the stories and lessons imparted to children that shape their understanding of the world. Consider the fairy tales, the rhymes, and their implied morals. This is the cultural milieu the girl is immersed in, one that subtly guides her future identity. The image also evokes a sense of nostalgia. It prompts us to reflect on our own childhoods and the narratives that framed our early perceptions. It's a study of how cultural narratives are internalized and lived, particularly by young women.