Untitled (older couple and boy in living room in front of windows) c. 1940

Paul Gittings made this photograph of an older couple and boy in a living room, but we don't know exactly when. This domestic scene gives us a glimpse into middle-class life, perhaps in the mid-20th century. The image invites us to think about the social codes embedded in such a portrait. The sitters are surrounded by symbols of domesticity and status. This is a staged photograph to emphasize their social standing. The way they present themselves, their clothing, and the setting all contribute to this constructed image. What does it mean to perform for the camera, and how does this performance reflect the values and aspirations of the time? To understand this image better, we might research the history of studio portraiture, family photography, and the visual culture of middle-class life in America. Examining similar images and written accounts from the period will give us a more granular understanding of how people wanted to see themselves and be seen by others.