Untitled (woman in evening dress standing by large urn in front of mirror) c. 1950

Paul Gittings created this photograph, currently held at the Harvard Art Museums, capturing a woman in an evening dress beside a large urn in front of a mirror. The high contrast of the monochrome image, combined with the ornate details of the set, immediately strikes the viewer. The composition is structured by vertical lines that compartmentalize the visual space and draw the eye upwards. The mirror, urn, and woman serve as signifiers within a carefully constructed scene. The mirror is less about reflection, and more about multiplying the patterns of ornamentation, while the urn alludes to classical forms and ideas of tradition. The woman's presence adds another layer to this interplay of signs. She stands almost as a mediator between the viewer and these objects, her pose and attire suggesting a certain social standing. Ultimately, the photograph presents a complex interplay of image and status, where form and content work together to suggest deeper cultural meanings. It is a tableau that invites ongoing interpretation, challenging viewers to question how these signs contribute to the construction of identity.