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diane arbus: in the beginning
An unprecedented overview of the early work of a preeminent 20th-century artist
Diane Arbus (1923–1971) is one of the most distinctive and provocative artists of the twentieth century. Her photographs of children and eccentrics, couples and circus performers, female impersonators and nudists, are among the most recognizable images of our time. This book is the definitive study of the artist’s first seven years of work, from 1956 to 1962. Drawn primarily from the rich holdings of the Metropolitan Museum’s Diane Arbus Archive—a remarkable treasury of photographs, negatives, appointment books, notebooks, and correspondence—it is an essential contribution to our understanding of Arbus and her oeuvre.
diane arbus: in the beginning showcases over 100 of the artist’s early photographs, more than half of which are published here for the first time. The book provides a crucial, in-depth presentation of the artist’s genesis, showing Arbus as she developed her evocative and often haunting imagery. The photographs featured in this handsome volume reveal an artist defining her style, honing her subject matter, and in full possession of the many gifts for which she is now recognized the world over.
Diane Arbus (1923–1971) is one of the most distinctive and provocative artists of the twentieth century. Her photographs of children and eccentrics, couples and circus performers, female impersonators and nudists, are among the most recognizable images of our time. This book is the definitive study of the artist’s first seven years of work, from 1956 to 1962. Drawn primarily from the rich holdings of the Metropolitan Museum’s Diane Arbus Archive—a remarkable treasury of photographs, negatives, appointment books, notebooks, and correspondence—it is an essential contribution to our understanding of Arbus and her oeuvre.
diane arbus: in the beginning showcases over 100 of the artist’s early photographs, more than half of which are published here for the first time. The book provides a crucial, in-depth presentation of the artist’s genesis, showing Arbus as she developed her evocative and often haunting imagery. The photographs featured in this handsome volume reveal an artist defining her style, honing her subject matter, and in full possession of the many gifts for which she is now recognized the world over.
272 pages, Hardcover
Published July 12, 2016
About the author
Diane Arbus
47 books179 followersPeople best know portraits of prostitutes, transvestites, persons with physical deformities, and other unconventional subjects of American photographer Diane Arbus.
Diane Arbus noted dwarfs, giants, and ordinary citizens in poses and settings on the fringes of society.
Arbus used 35-mm cameras to create her early work but adopted the Rolleiflex medium format twin-lens reflex before the 1960s. This format provided a square aspect ratio, higher image resolution, and a waist-level viewfinder, not a standard eye, which allowed Arbus to connect in different ways. Arbus also experimented with the use of flashes in daylight, allowing her to highlight and separate from the background.
In July 1971, Arbus ingested a large quantity of barbiturates and then slashed her wrists to commit suicide in Greenwich Village at the age of 48 years.
Diane Arbus noted dwarfs, giants, and ordinary citizens in poses and settings on the fringes of society.
Arbus used 35-mm cameras to create her early work but adopted the Rolleiflex medium format twin-lens reflex before the 1960s. This format provided a square aspect ratio, higher image resolution, and a waist-level viewfinder, not a standard eye, which allowed Arbus to connect in different ways. Arbus also experimented with the use of flashes in daylight, allowing her to highlight and separate from the background.
In July 1971, Arbus ingested a large quantity of barbiturates and then slashed her wrists to commit suicide in Greenwich Village at the age of 48 years.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 7, 2017
Some of Arbus's later photos are iconic images of real-life American theatre de l'absurde.
These early works are influential in their own right. Here photography becomes the revelatory invasion of the instant. We all, supposedly, exhibit our truest selves in the awkward gesture of social exhaustion. Many photo-portaitists, such as Rineke Dijkstra, follow Arbus's example, fortunately or not.
A few of these works- empathetic and collaborative depictions of non-gender-conforming bodies, a good half century at least before such empathy became fashionable, - are undeniably heroic.
These early works are influential in their own right. Here photography becomes the revelatory invasion of the instant. We all, supposedly, exhibit our truest selves in the awkward gesture of social exhaustion. Many photo-portaitists, such as Rineke Dijkstra, follow Arbus's example, fortunately or not.
A few of these works- empathetic and collaborative depictions of non-gender-conforming bodies, a good half century at least before such empathy became fashionable, - are undeniably heroic.
January 26, 2022
I enjoyed the photos she has a really unique style, and I don't tend to see it copied a lot. I found the writing to add important context to the photos rather than be unnecessary or disconnected as monographs in this style often are.
December 8, 2018
A beautiful and fascinating compilation of Arbus' work - much of which had never before been shown. This collection and its accompanying text offer a new and more personal insight into the mind of one of the pioneers, one of the first legends of U.S. photography. Not to mention that the book itself is a thing of beauty.
December 30, 2021
Discovered Diane Arbus years ago thanks to the film Fur. Stroke of luck in 2012 brought me to discover her exhibition at the Tate. She came back to me in 2021 while escaping reality in the art section at BookPeople. So pleased to have been able to stop and see the world through her eyes.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews