Article
Teach with Collections: Diane Arbus, A Child Crying, N.J.
This 1967 photograph by Diane Arbus shows a close, cropped view of a child crying. Arbus became well known for her particularly individualistic portraits that challenged what was considered acceptable as subject matter and the proximity of a photographer's gaze. Some critics described her photographs as voyeuristic; others praised her for her empathy.
Conversation prompts: Is this an image that invokes our empathy? Why or why not?
Which particular features do we look at to determine that this child is crying?
Arbus has excluded any background for this figure's emotional reaction; how does the lack of context influence our reading of the scene
Conversation prompts: Is this an image that invokes our empathy? Why or why not?
Which particular features do we look at to determine that this child is crying?
Arbus has excluded any background for this figure's emotional reaction; how does the lack of context influence our reading of the scene
