Untitled (portrait of little girl in bonnet) c. 1940

Paul Gittings captured this photograph of a young girl wearing a bonnet. The bonnet, a covering for the head, evokes images of innocence and childhood. Yet, it also echoes the head coverings of nuns or widows, symbolizing piety or mourning. This duality is fascinating. We see this echoed in funerary art and portraiture across time, from ancient Roman veiled heads to the somber portraits of Renaissance widows, where the veil conceals and reveals, shrouding the individual in both mystery and solemnity. Consider how a simple piece of clothing can transform the wearer, shaping our perception and emotional response. This image, like those of the past, taps into our collective memory, stirring feelings of vulnerability, protection, and perhaps even a hint of melancholy. The bonnet, therefore, is not merely an article of clothing but a powerful symbol, constantly reappearing, evolving, and reminding us of the cyclical nature of life and representation.