Untitled (woman seated in armchair with baby in long dress on lap) c. 1940

Here’s an image by Paul Gittings of a woman seated in an armchair, a baby in a long dress on her lap, in the collection of the Harvard Art Museums. Isn't it fascinating how photographs are like paintings in that they capture a moment in time, but also how they differ in their means of production? I imagine Gittings carefully setting up this shot, thinking about the composition, the lighting, and the story he wanted to tell. Was he thinking about the history of portraiture, of mothers and children in art? The way the light falls on the woman's face, the gentle curve of her arm, and the intricate details of the baby's dress, it all adds up to this intimate scene. I think about how artists are always looking at each other's work, borrowing ideas, and pushing the boundaries of their own practices. It's like a conversation that spans across time and space.