Untitled (portrait of young woman looking over bare shoulder) c. 1940

This photographic negative, by Paul Gittings, captures a young woman glancing over her bare shoulder. It's interesting to consider this image within the context of mid-20th-century portraiture. Gittings was a society photographer, known for capturing the likenesses of wealthy and prominent individuals. In a society where image and status were closely linked, photographic portraits like this one played a significant role. The subject's pose, her smile, and the careful lighting all contribute to a constructed image of beauty and privilege. The institutional history of photography itself is relevant here. Photography, in its early days, was a tool primarily used by and for the elite. It's worth considering how this artwork participates in and potentially reinforces social hierarchies. Further research into Gittings's clientele and the social circles in which he operated would provide a more complete understanding of this artwork’s place within its time.