Untitled (mother seated in chair with three children beside her, in living room under chandelier sconce) after 1940

Paul Gittings made this photograph of a mother and her children in a living room. The photo is mostly in blacks and whites, with a few greys sprinkled in. This feels appropriate given how photographs were made at the time and emphasizes the relationship between light and dark. Check out how Gittings uses light to create depth and texture. The chandelier's shadow stretches across the wall, contrasting with the solid forms of the family. It’s interesting how the light creates a sort of ghostly double of the chandelier on the wall, but the people are more solid in form. The mother’s dress fades into the background, losing some detail, while her face is well-lit and sharply in focus. The details in the room—the ornate furniture, the sconce, the clothing—suggest a certain formality and upper-class status. It reminds me a little of the portraits of Alice Neel; both artists capture something about the psychology of their subjects, even amidst a staged setting. Art is such a great conversation across time; each piece speaks to the others. There's no final word, just ongoing dialogue!