Diane Arbus
(Washington, D.C., United States, 1923 - 1971, New York, New York)
Child with a Toy Hand Grenade in Central Park, N.Y.C.
1962 (printed later)
Gelatin silver print
14 7/8 x 14 3/4 in. (37.8 x 37.6 cm)
Collection of the Akron Art Museum
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene M. Schwartz
1983.7
More Information
Arbus sought subjects for her unconventional portraits in New York City’s streets, tenements, nightclubs, and parks. Rather than present this young boy as playful and cherubic, she photographed him in a moment of extreme frustration. His wiry limbs, clenched fists, and frantic expression, coupled with the very real-looking grenade in his hand, give the image a surreal, unsettling quality.
Keywords
ChildGelatin Silver
Park
Black and White
United States
Photography
Weapons
Boy