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Diane Arbus — Tattooed female impersonator applying make-up in a mirror, N.Y.C.
Diane Arbus

Tattooed female impersonator applying make-up in a mirror, N.Y.C.

A striking portrait of a tattooed female impersonator captured mid-application of makeup in a mirror, showcasing the intimate ritual of transformation. Diane Arbus documents the subject with unflinching clarity, revealing both vulnerability and identity construction. The photograph exemplifies Arbus's fascination with marginalized individuals and unconventional beauty.

Medium
Gelatin silver print, printed 1959-1961.
Spotted At
Auction House · Phillips

🔨 Auction Lot

Photographs

September 25, 2020

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About this work

Diane Arbus, Tattooed female impersonator applying make-up in a mirror, N.Y.C.

A striking portrait of a tattooed female impersonator captured mid-application of makeup in a mirror, showcasing the intimate ritual of transformation. Diane Arbus documents the subject with unflinching clarity, revealing both vulnerability and identity construction. The photograph exemplifies Arbus's fascination with marginalized individuals and unconventional beauty.

Medium
Gelatin silver print, printed 1959-1961.
Seen at
Phillips, New York, London, Hong Kong

Related themes

Gender, New York City, Tattooed, Documentary, Identity, Transformation, Performance, Portrait, Makeup, Mirror

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