Diane Arbus: A Box of Ten Photographs

This book explores the groundbreaking portfolio that changed perceptions of photography as an art form. Diane Arbus: A Box of Ten Photographs delves into its creation and significance.

In May 1971, Diane Arbus: A Box of Ten Photographs marked a significant moment in art history when Artforum, a leading publication of late modernism, featured a photographer for the first time. This issue showcased a portfolio of ten photographs by Diane Arbus, making a bold statement about the artistic merit of photography. Philip Leider, the magazine's editor, famously remarked that this portfolio 'changed everything,' emphasizing that photography could no longer be dismissed as mere documentation but should be recognized as a legitimate form of art. At the time of Arbus's untimely death just two months later, only four of the intended fifty editions had been sold, highlighting the initial struggle for acceptance her work faced.

Among the collectors were notable figures such as Richard Avedon and Jasper Johns, who appreciated the depth and complexity of Arbus's vision. Each of the prints was signed by the artist and included an interleaving vellum slip-sheet with extended captions, adding layers of meaning to the images. For Bea Feitler, art director at Harper’s Bazaar, Arbus even included an additional photograph, 'A woman with her baby monkey, N.J., 1971,' further enriching the portfolio's narrative.

The Smithsonian American Art Museum acquired this unique collection in 1986, preserving a pivotal piece of art history. The book serves as a replica of Arbus's original portfolio and is accompanied by insights from curator John P. Jacob, who has uncovered new information about the work’s creation and its lasting impact on the art world. Diane Arbus: A Box of Ten Photographs remains a testament to the photographer's enduring legacy and the evolution of photography as an art form.