Untitled (portrait of woman in large white hat) after 1940

This silver gelatin print, titled Untitled (portrait of woman in large white hat), was made by Paul Gittings. Here, the sitter's identity is largely constructed through the symbolism of fashion. The eponymous hat acts as both a literal and metaphorical frame, drawing our eye not only to the sitter’s face, but also to the performative aspects of identity. The hat, along with her dark lipstick and collared shirt, evoke an aesthetic of interwar femininity. The image comes across as both very specific to its time and somehow timeless. How do we read this woman’s gaze? Does she represent the modern woman, navigating societal expectations while forging her own path? What does this image say about beauty and self-expression? It's a quiet, yet powerful exploration of identity, inviting us to contemplate the complexities of representation and the enduring impact of the cultural gaze.