Untitled (photograph of woman in head wrap, one shoulder bare) c. 1940

This photograph of a woman in a head wrap and with one shoulder bare, was made by Paul Gittings. In this modest sized image, the softness and tonality are notable characteristics, the result of the physical and chemical processes involved in photography. The choice of Kodak Safety Film subtly highlights the commodification of image-making, linking it to industry and mass production. The film itself, mass-produced in factories, made possible the democratization of photography. Though Gittings is not particularly known, this image reflects the social context of portraiture and visual representation. The film’s texture, weight, and chemical composition have imbued the artwork with a cultural significance tied to consumption and labor. The portrait aesthetic reflects a blend of artistic intention and industrial production. Ultimately, this work reminds us of the value of understanding the materials, making, and context in appreciating an artwork's full meaning.