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Tattooed Man at a Carnival, Maryland

Date
1970, printed later
Classification
Photographs
Current Location
Not on view
Dimensions
image (irregular): 14 1/2 x 14 1/2 in. (36.8 x 36.8 cm)
sheet: 20 x 16 in. (50.8 x 40.6 cm)
Credit Line
Museum Purchase
Rights
© Estate of Diane Arbus
Object Number
178:1977
NOTES
In this photograph of a tattooed performer, Diane Arbus reveals her fascination in the masquerade and in overlooked subcultures like those found in carnivals. Although there is always a certain amount of posing in every portrait, that element is exaggerated here because the subject is a professional entertainer. Arbus used her flash at close range to add a strangeness and unreality to the image, enhancing the patterning on the performer’s skin and highlighting his penetrating gaze.

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