Untitled (photograph of Gittings photo: "Dance Team") c. 1970

This is an undated photograph by Paul Gittings, entitled "Dance Team," now held in the Harvard Art Museums. The composition consists of two women rendered in soft sepia tones, their forms gently emerging from the light. The taller figure stands behind, her face in profile, while the other looks directly at us, creating a compelling visual dialogue. The photograph’s structure and tonal range evoke a sense of classical portraiture, reminiscent of the soft-focus techniques used to idealize the subjects. The use of light and shadow models their faces creating a sense of depth. Gittings’ work can be understood within the framework of structuralism, where the underlying patterns and codes reveal deeper cultural meanings. Here, the dual portrait could be seen as a play on identity, doubling, and the social constructs of beauty and representation. Consider the photograph's carefully balanced arrangement and diffused lighting, which serve not just as aesthetic choices but also as cultural signs that reflect and shape our understanding of beauty and social relationships.