Untitled (portrait of woman in white drape with hair pulled back) after 1940

This is an undated silver gelatin print by Paul Gittings, of an unknown woman. It is a portrait of the sitter in a white drape with her hair pulled back. In the context of portraiture, which has historically been an arena dominated by depictions of wealthy, white elites, this piece offers an interesting perspective. The composition and the treatment of light lends the image an air of classical elegance, reminiscent of historic portraits of women. But the absence of adornment and the woman’s direct gaze complicate traditional notions of femininity and representation. The lack of a title encourages us to consider her not as an individual, but as a representation, or an archetype. What narratives does the image invite and what societal roles or expectations might it reflect? The portrait opens up questions about the gaze, anonymity, and the power dynamics inherent in the act of portraying a person.