Diane Arbus

Born Diane Nemerov on March 14, 1923, in New York City, Arbus was one of the most distinctive photographers of the 20th century, known for her eerie portraits and off-beat subjects.

An artistic youth, Diane Arbus learned photography from her husband, actor Allan Arbus. Together, they found success with advertising and fashion work, with photographs appearing in magazines such as Vogue.

Diane soon branched out on her own. Her raw, unusual images of the people she saw while living in New York created a unique and compelling portrayal of the city. Arbus wandered the streets and public parks but also visited seedy hotels, the morgue, and other aberrant locales. In addition to pedestrians and suburban families, Arbus photographed female impersonators, nudists, circus performers, celebrities, and more. A distinct and compelling portrait of society!

By the mid-1960s, Arbus had become a well-established photographer, participating in shows at the Museum of Modern Art in NYC, among others. However, by the late 1960s, some personal challenges emerged. Arbus’ marriage ended in 1969, and she later struggled with depression. Arbus committed suicide on July 26, 1971.

Since her death, Arbus’ work has remained a subject of genuine interest, with exhibitions across the U.S. and internationally. Her life was also the basis of the 2006 film “Fur,” starring Nicole Kidman as Arbus.