Diane Arbus

Date of Birth: March 14, 1923

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Date of Death: July 26, 1971

Biography

Diane Arbus was an American photographer known for her square-format black-and-white portraits of marginalized and unusual people, including circus performers, transgender individuals, and people with disabilities. Born Diane Nemerov into a wealthy Jewish family in New York City, she showed an early interest in the arts. She married Allan Arbus, with whom she initially worked in fashion photography. She later branched out into her distinctive style, focusing on the raw and often unsettling aspects of human existence. Arbus’s work has been exhibited widely and remains influential in the world of photography. Her ability to capture the inherent dignity and humanity in her subjects, despite their often unconventional appearances, has earned her a lasting legacy. She took her own life in 1971, but her work continues to be celebrated and studied for its emotional depth and technical prowess.

5 Interesting Facts about Diane Arbus

1. Diane Arbus was the first American photographer to have her work displayed at the Venice Biennale.

2. She studied photography under Berenice Abbott and Alexey Brodovitch.

3. Arbus’s work was often controversial due to its unflinching portrayal of subjects from the fringes of society.

4. She was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1963 and again in 1966.

5. Her daughter, Doon Arbus, is a writer and editor who has helped manage her mother’s estate and legacy.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Diane Arbus

1. “A photograph is a secret about a secret. The more it tells you, the less you know.”

2. “I really believe there are things nobody would see if I didn’t photograph them.”

3. “I work from awkwardness. By that I mean I don’t like to arrange things. If I stand in front of something, instead of arranging it, I arrange myself.”

4. “What I’m trying to describe is that it’s impossible to get out of your skin into somebody else’s. And that’s what all this is a little bit about.”

5. “I never have taken a picture I’ve intended. They’re always better or worse.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the time of her death, Diane Arbus did not achieve significant financial success. However, her estate has appreciated considerably posthumously, with her photographs selling for hundreds of thousands of dollars each. The highest net worth achieved by her estate is estimated to be around $5 million.

Children

Diane Arbus had two daughters with her husband Allan Arbus: 1. Doon Arbus (born 1945) – A writer and editor who has played a significant role in preserving and promoting her mother’s work. 2. Amy Arbus (born 1954) – A photographer who has also gained recognition in her own right.