Untitled (child with narcissus flowers reclined on cushion) after 1940

This black and white photograph of a child with narcissus flowers was taken by Paul Gittings, though the exact date remains unknown. In this intimate portrait, the child reclines on a cushion, seemingly lost in thought as they hold a delicate narcissus flower. The image evokes the romantic and somewhat melancholic aesthetic prevalent in late 19th and early 20th century photography. The choice of narcissus flowers alludes to themes of vanity, self-absorption, and transformation. In classical mythology, narcissus was a figure of extraordinary beauty who became infatuated with his own reflection. Here, the child's contemplative pose invites us to consider the complexities of childhood identity and the nascent development of self-awareness. Is the artist highlighting the innocence of the child, or does the photograph represent something more profound? It is a poignant reflection on beauty, introspection, and the passage of time, captured through the lens of a bygone era.