DIANE ARBUS Biography - Craftmen, artisans and people from other Occupations

 
 

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DIANE ARBUS

Name: Diane Nemerov                                                                   
Born: 14 March 1923 New York City                                                     
Died: 26 July 1971 Greenwich Village                                                 
                                                                                     
Diane Arbus (March 14, 1923 - July 26, 1971) was an American photographer, noted     
for her portraits of people on the fringes of society, such as transvestites,         
dwarfs, giants, prostitutes, and ordinary citizens in unconventional poses and       
settings.                                                                             
                                                                                     
Diane Arbus (nee Nemerov) was born in New York City into a wealthy Jewish family,     
the younger sister of Howard Nemerov, who served as United States Poet               
Laureate on two separate occasions. She attended the Fieldston School for             
Ethical Culture.                                                                     
                                                                                     
She fell in love with future actor Allan Arbus at age 14, and married him in         
1941, soon after turning 18, despite her parents' objections. When her husband       
began training as a photographer for the US Army, he shared his lessons with         
Diane. As a husband-wife team, the Arbuses became successful in the fashion           
world. As Diane began to take her own photographs, she took formal lessons with       
Lisette Model at The New School in New York. Edward Steichen's noted photo           
exhibit, The Family of Man, included a photograph credited to the couple.             
Together the Arbuses had two daughters, photographer Amy Arbus and writer and         
art director Doon Arbus. Allan and Diane Arbus had separated by 1959.