Untitled (woman playing piano, large painting of woman in forest behind her) c. 1940

This photograph by Paul Gittings presents a woman playing the piano in an interior, with a large painting of a woman in a forest behind her. It's a complex image, one that gives us insight into the cultural values of the time, while also critiquing the art institutions that helped perpetuate them. The visual codes in the photograph construct a narrative of bourgeois domesticity, common in the United States during the early to mid-20th century. The woman, the piano, and the floral arrangement all speak to a particular vision of middle-class life, as does the painting hanging on the wall. Yet, it is a vision of womanhood that is very restrictive. The presence of the painting in the background introduces another layer of meaning. Is it a comment on the role of women in art, both as subjects and creators? Is the artist challenging the traditional representation of women in art? Understanding the social and institutional context in which this photograph was made is key to interpreting it fully. We might consult periodicals, family papers, or exhibition catalogs to learn more about the cultural meanings of piano playing, floral arrangements, and landscape painting. We will also want to study the art and photography institutions that influenced Gittings' work.