Untitled (woman in fur coat, hat and gloves, flowers to side) c. 1940

This photographic image by Paul Gittings presents a woman adorned in a fur coat, hat, and gloves, with flowers resting beside her. The monochromatic palette exaggerates textures, highlighting the luxurious fur and the smooth fabric of her dress. The composition, tightly framed, directs our attention to the sitter’s face and the intricate patterns of the fur, creating a striking visual contrast. The negative image evokes a sense of estrangement and challenges conventional portraiture by inverting our expectations of light and shadow. This disruption is not merely aesthetic, but delves into the semiotic understanding of photography as a medium that both represents and transforms reality. The inverted tonality destabilizes the image, prompting reflection on how visual elements shape meaning. Consider how the interplay of light and shadow challenges fixed meanings and engages with alternative ways of understanding representation.