Untitled (walkway, trellis, two chairs in outdoor space) c. 1940

Paul Gittings created this photograph of an outdoor space, but its date and location remain a mystery. The walkway, trellis, and chairs evoke a sense of domesticity and leisure, yet the high contrast and negative presentation create an estranging effect, suggesting a deeper unease. Consider the social context in which this image was made. Was this a period of economic prosperity, where leisure time was more accessible to the middle class? Or was it a time of social unrest, where the idea of domestic tranquility was challenged? The absence of people in the image adds to the sense of mystery, as if the scene has been abandoned or is waiting for something to happen. To fully understand the artwork's meaning, we can turn to historical resources such as social surveys, and cultural commentaries. By exploring the social and institutional history of photography, we can gain a deeper appreciation for its power to reflect, and challenge, the norms of its time.