Untitled (woman in sleeveless patterned dress posing by fireplace, mirror and clock) c. 1940

This gelatin silver print of an unknown woman was created by Paul Gittings. Here, the woman poses in a patterned dress, the setting is intimate, and domestic: a fireplace, a mirror, a clock. Gittings was known as a society photographer; his work provides a window into the lives of the wealthy. Yet, this image complicates a straightforward narrative of privilege. The inverted tones of the print introduce an element of mystery and perhaps even unease. The woman's direct gaze challenges traditional representations of women as passive objects of the male gaze. Instead, she asserts her presence, suggesting a complex negotiation of identity and self-representation. While the image hints at affluence, the overall tone transcends mere documentation of social status. It evokes a sense of quiet contemplation and introspection. The photograph becomes a meditation on identity, representation, and the subtle power dynamics inherent in portraiture.