Untitled (portrait of a young woman) c. 1940

This silver gelatin print by Paul Gittings captures the portrait of a young woman. The most striking aspect of this image is the ethereal quality achieved through the photographic process, a reversal of light that transforms the familiar into something haunting. The subject's gaze, direct and penetrating, evokes a sense of vulnerability and timelessness. It reminds us of the Fayum mummy portraits of ancient Egypt, where the eyes were similarly emphasized to capture the essence of the individual, transcending the boundaries of life and death. This inversion of light plays with our subconscious, creating a powerful psychological impact, engaging viewers on a deeply emotional level. Such visual strategies are a reminder of how images through their symbols engage with the collective memory of humanity.