in the beginning

In 2016, The Met Breuer presented in the beginning, a landmark exhibition of Arbus’s early photographs from the first seven years of her career, from 1956–1962. These 35mm pictures had previously been presented in a supporting role to her later, iconic images. The show and accompanying catalogue marked the first time many of the images were ever seen.

Black-and-white photograph of light from a movie projector streaming across a balcony
Black-and-white photograph of a boy wearing tie, coat, and hat with full brim
Black-and-white photograph of Dracula with one eyebrow raised on a movie screen
Black-and-white photograph of a woman wearing a fur coat and hat sitting in the back of a bus
Black-and-white photograph of a headless man sitting on a chair on top of a pedestal
Black-and-white photograph of woman carrying a child
Black-and-white photograph of a man with his head facing the opposite way of his body in a room lit by a single lightbulb
Black-and-white photograph of a drive-in theater at nighttime with clouds on screen
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Related Portfolios

Black-and-white photograph of a woman with dark hair wearing a pearl necklace and broach

Diane Arbus: An Aperture Monograph
Black-and-white photograph of a tanned man sitting with his head resting on his hand

Diane Arbus: Magazine Work
Black-and-white square photograph of two figures in embrace on an empty stage, the their left is a single floor lamp illuminating the scene to their right is a poster depicting a couple kissing

Diane Arbus: Revelations
Black-and-white photograph of five figures wearing masks with an open field in the background and cloudy sky

Diane Arbus: Untitled