Untitled (portrait of two girls with matching dresses and bows in hair) after 1940

Paul Gittings created this gelatin silver print of two young girls, dressed identically, sometime in the twentieth century. The girls, likely sisters, are adorned in matching dresses and hair bows, exemplifying the cultural emphasis on uniformity and conformity often placed on young women. Gittings, known for his society portraits, captured a sense of innocence and privilege in this image. Yet, the matching outfits also hint at the limited space often granted to women for individual expression. The photograph freezes a moment in time, inviting us to reflect on the expectations placed on young girls and the complexities of identity formation. It serves as a reminder of the subtle ways in which societal norms shape individual experiences. The girls' expressions—a blend of shyness and self-awareness—leave us contemplating the delicate balance between conformity and individuality.