Untitled (portrait of older woman in glasses with thin chain around neck) c. 1940

Paul Gittings' photographic portrait presents an intriguing study in light and form. The inversion of tones immediately captures our attention, transforming the familiar into something subtly alien. The woman's face, framed by glasses and a delicate chain, is rendered in ghostly detail. The composition is classic: a bust-length view that invites contemplation. Yet, the reversed tonality disrupts conventional reading. Light emanates from areas where shadow would typically reside, creating a visual paradox. This manipulation of light and shadow challenges our perception, forcing us to reconsider how we construct meaning from visual cues. Gittings' choice to invert the image isn't merely a technical trick; it's a deliberate act that destabilizes the portrait's inherent symbolism. The formal tension invites viewers to question the nature of representation itself, recognizing that the image is not a straightforward depiction but a construct. In that sense, it's a discourse.