Untitled (portrait of woman in formal dress seated next to candelabra and zebra striped wall) c. 1940

This photographic portrait, made by Paul Gittings, captures a woman in a formal dress next to a candelabra and a zebra-striped wall. Gittings uses a high contrast to create a dramatic, almost theatrical effect. The woman is bathed in light, her dress appearing as if spun from moonlight, edged with delicate lace. It's interesting how the texture of the zebra-striped wall behind her creates a kind of visual dissonance, a clash of the wild and the refined. The candelabra, ornate and classical, adds another layer to this strange mix. Look at how the light catches the woman’s hand, poised thoughtfully near her face. It’s a gesture that speaks volumes, hinting at a complex inner life. The surface of the photograph itself is smooth, almost velvety, which enhances the dreamlike quality of the image. The overall effect is unsettling, but also deeply compelling. This photograph feels like a conversation between Man Ray and Diane Arbus, an exploration of glamour and the uncanny. Like all good art, it leaves you with more questions than answers.