Untitled (portrait of mother seated with young daughter with arms around each other) after 1940

Paul Gittings created this gelatin silver print, depicting a mother and daughter, sometime in the mid-20th century. Gittings was known for portraits that catered to affluent families, particularly in the Southern United States. The composition and lighting in this image evoke a sense of intimacy and warmth, while also projecting an air of respectability and gentility. These portraits were not merely representations of individuals, but served to reinforce social identities and project specific ideas about family and class. Understanding the cultural context in which Gittings operated—a society marked by distinct social hierarchies and expectations—helps us to see how photography functioned as a tool for constructing and maintaining those hierarchies. By examining studio records, social registers, and other archival materials, the art historian can shed light on the complex interplay between artistic production, social aspirations, and institutional power.