Untitled (man in suit and glasses seated in chair by window) after 1940

This black and white photograph by Paul Gittings captures a man in a suit seated by a window. The photograph’s material presence is tied to the era in which it was made, reminding us of the labor and the alchemical processes involved in the darkroom. Each print was individually processed, each with its unique qualities. Every stage, from the preparation of the chemicals to the final print, demanded a high level of skill. The very act of posing for a formal portrait was also a carefully orchestrated performance, particularly for a sitter of this evident social standing. The man’s suit, glasses, and composed demeanor speak to a certain class and professional identity, a visual language carefully constructed and meticulously captured through the photographer’s craft. Considering the work involved in the production, this photograph offers a glimpse into the social dynamics of portraiture, where the photographer's craft intersects with the sitter's identity.