The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of March 26, 2024

The human pincushion at a carnival in his silk shirt, N.J., 1961

The human pincushion at a carnival in his silk shirt, N.J., 1961

1961
(American, 1923–1971)
Image: 28.4 x 19.2 cm (11 3/16 x 7 9/16 in.); Paper: 35.3 x 27.9 cm (13 7/8 x 11 in.); Matted: 50.8 x 40.6 cm (20 x 16 in.)
© 1961 Estate of Diane Arbus
Location: not on view

Description

Diane Arbus was attracted to the bizarre aspects of human existence. She documented the underside of contemporary life, but always allowed her subjects—usually considered too strange and disturbing for mainstream society—to retain their dignity. Created intuitively, her images were also revelations of the intimate relationship between photographer and subject. Arbus was exceptionally sensitive to nuances of expression and gesture. In this image she captured the intensity of the sitter's gaze as he looks toward the camera.
  • Marvin Israel
  • Cleveland Museum of Art, Tom E Hinson. Catalogue of Photography. Cleveland, OH: Cleveland Museum of Art, 1996. Reproduced: P. 86
  • Portraiture: American Photography 1960 to the Present. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (June 1-September 13, 2009).
    The Cleveland Museum of Art (06/01/2009 - 09/13/2009); "Portraiture: American Photography 1960 to the Present"
    CMA, November 20,1996 - February 2, 1997: "Legacy of Light: Master Photographs from the Cleveland Museum of Art."
    Legacy of Light: Master Photographs from the Cleveland Museum of Art. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (November 24, 1996-February 2, 1997).
    The Year in Review for 1987. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (February 24-April 17, 1988).
    CMA, February 24 - April 17, 1988: "Year in Review 1987," CMA Bulletin, 75 (February 1988), p. 66, no. 33, repr. p. 63.
  • {{cite web|title=The human pincushion at a carnival in his silk shirt, N.J., 1961|url=false|author=Diane Arbus|year=1961|access-date=26 March 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1987.179