Untitled (portrait of baby, looking down, with ring on finger) after 1940

This photograph by Paul Gittings captures a baby, drawing our attention to the small ring worn on one of its plump fingers. The ring, a symbol of commitment, is here oddly juxtaposed with the innocence of infancy. This is evocative, and it begs the question of inherited identity and unspoken futures. Think of the ‘ring finger’ itself, a tradition dating back to Roman times, believed to be connected directly to the heart via the vena amoris. The very act of placing a ring carries a weight of expectation and belonging. Consider how this symbol has mutated through time. The ring, initially a simple band, has become laden with jewels and personal engravings. It echoes across history, from ancient betrothals to modern declarations of love. What then, does it signify on the hand of someone so young? It's a complex interplay of hope, tradition, and societal imprinting, engaging us on a profound, subconscious level.