Untitled (woman in hat and stole standing and holding hands with little girl holding doll) c. 1940

This photographic print of a woman and child was made by Paul Gittings at an unknown date. The sitters' clothes point to a time of changing social norms in the 20th century. At first glance, this portrait shows a tender moment. However, when looking at a photograph, it is important to remember the cultural and historical circumstances in which it was made. Photography used to be exclusive and expensive, meaning that photographic portraits were often reserved for a certain social class. The sitters would often be posed in a way that shows decorum and elegance. How do the sitters’ clothes play into this dynamic? What do the woman’s stole, hat, and gloves suggest about her social status? What does it mean to see her posed next to a young child holding a doll? As historians of art, we try to answer these questions using information about photographic studios like Gittings, fashion trends, and the history of portraiture. By connecting the image to the culture that produced it, we come closer to understanding the social and institutional structures of the past.