Untitled (two girls in matching dresses standing in front of window with slatted shades) c. 1940

This photograph of two young girls in matching dresses standing in front of a window with slatted shades, was created by Paul Gittings. The absence of a date complicates our understanding, yet we can still examine the image through a contemporary lens that explores the construction of identity. The matching dresses and posed stance suggest a desire to present a unified image of ideal girlhood. This conformity can be seen as a reflection of societal expectations placed on young women during the time the photograph was taken. What does it mean to grow up under the gaze of such expectations? Despite the uniformity, there is also a subtle tension. The girls are individuals, yet their identities are blurred by the matching attire. In this way, the photograph invites reflection on the complexities of girlhood, and societal expectations around identity and conformity.