Untitled (portrait of older woman in glasses and pill box hat) c. 1955

This photographic negative portrays an older woman wearing glasses and a pillbox hat. Without a precise date, understanding the context of this image relies on piecing together clues from its visual codes and potential institutional connections. The woman's attire – the pillbox hat, jewelry, and neatly tailored clothing – suggests a certain social class and adherence to societal norms of dress, possibly in the mid-20th century United States. The very act of commissioning a portrait, especially in a studio setting, reflects a degree of affluence and a desire to be represented in a particular way. Paul Gittings, the photographer, was known for portraiture. The question then arises, what was the nature of his studio and who were his clientele? Further research into his studio's records and the social circles it catered to would shed light on the power dynamics at play in the creation and reception of such images. Understanding how the sitter wanted to be seen would enrich our understanding of this photograph.