Untitled (portrait of man, woman, and boy in formal wear seated on geometrically shaped studio props) after 1940

This photograph of a family in formal attire was taken by Paul Gittings. With its high contrast and carefully arranged composition, the image encapsulates the idealized vision of the American family. Seated on geometric props, the subjects embody the visual language of the 1930s. The figures are arranged in a manner that seems to uphold the social hierarchy. The father figure stands tall in the background, while the woman sits slightly lower, her gaze directed to the side. The son is almost at level with the father, but his gaze seems unsure. In its formal representation, the photo develops a narrative about the family unit. The attention to detail and use of light constructs a sense of timelessness and aspiration. Yet, it also begs questions about who gets to be seen in this light, and what ideals of beauty and success are being reinforced. The photograph echoes social issues through the emotional connection between the subjects. It holds the viewer in a shared space of societal expectations, personal experiences, and cultural identity.