Untitled (woman in floral patterned dress with young girl on lap, seated in front of plant and patio door) after 1940

This photograph of a woman and child was made by Paul Gittings, using gelatin silver print. The material is key here: the gelatin emulsion captures light, developing as an image. Photography, born in the 19th century, democratized portraiture. Before, only the wealthy could afford painted portraits. Photography offered a quicker, more affordable alternative. In a capitalist sense, it was about mass production of images, yet portraiture still requires a skilled photographer. Notice the detail in the floral dress, the sheen of the gelatin, and the soft focus, all achieved through the specific process of silver gelatin printing. It is a chemical process, but also an aesthetic one, blending science and craft. This photograph reflects social change and creative expression. The material and the way it's been used give us a glimpse into how photography democratized art, and captured everyday life. The image reminds us that all forms of image making reflect labor, class, and the spirit of their time.