Diane Arbus

Diane Arbus (1923-1971, United States) was among the most original and influential photographers of the twentieth century. Although her work was exhibited during her life, it made history a year after her death, when it became the first time works of photography represented the United States at the Venice Biennial. Arbus worked on the outskirts of New York, taking images of people living on the fringes of the town and society, whom she captured in all their forlornness and uniqueness. Her subjects’ piercing gazes, the high contrast lighting and unique shooting angles formed her photographic style. Suffering from depression, Arbus committed suicide at the age of 48. Following her death, her daughter Dawn Arbus began conserving and printing her mother’s photographs. Since then Arbus’ work has been shown extensively in retrospective exhibitions worldwide.

Related exhibitions: Melting Walls, Prima Facie

Diane Arbus, Woman in a rose hat, N.Y.C., 1966, Gelatin silver print

Diane Arbus, Woman with a pearl necklace and earrings, N.Y.C., 1967, Silver print

Diane Arbus, Two Ladies at the Automat, N.Y.C, 1966, Gelatin silver print

Diane Arbus, Puerto Rican woman with a beauty mark, NYC 1965, 1965, Gelatin silver print

The collection