Untitled (portrait of woman in black coat with abstract silver pin in black hat) after 1940

Paul Gittings made this untitled portrait of a woman in a black coat, with an abstract silver pin in her black hat. The portrait, with its emphasis on the sitter's gaze and stylish attire, speaks to the increasing visibility and agency of women in the early 20th century. The sitter's confident, almost confrontational, stare challenges traditional gender roles. The abstract pin in her hat, a bold and modern accessory, further emphasizes this sense of independence and individuality. The rise of photography as an accessible and democratic art form allowed for a wider range of individuals, including women, to be represented and celebrated. The image subtly critiques the established norms of portraiture, which had historically been dominated by depictions of wealthy men. Art historians rely on a variety of resources, including archival materials, period publications, and cultural ephemera, to understand the social and institutional context of such images. By examining these sources, we can gain a deeper appreciation of the complex interplay between art, gender, and social change.