Untitled (photograph of of woman in gold sequined shawl draped over head) c. 1970

Paul Gittings captured this photograph of a woman in a gold sequined shawl, but the date is unknown. The setting seems to be a studio, perhaps Gittings' own portrait studio known for high society clientele. The portrait presents us with a woman draped in what is certainly expensive fabric. Her carefully styled hair and make-up add to the impression of wealth and luxury. While the photograph is untitled, the image speaks volumes about the cultural values of its time. We can see the lingering influence of Hollywood glamour in the woman’s appearance. This kind of portrait fed into a culture of celebrity and aspiration. A historian would want to delve into the archives of studios like Gittings' to better understand its function within the networks of high society. The portrait itself becomes a document of social and cultural history.