About this artwork
Throughout her career, photographer Diane Arbus demonstrated a gift for capturing the unusual and
eccentric in a compelling, thoughtful manner. This now–iconic photograph was originally included in a photo–essay, “Two American Families,” published in the London Sunday Times Magazine. In a letter to her editor, Arbus described encountering the woman pictured here in a bookstore: “I said I wanted to photograph her with husband and children so she suggested I wait till warm weather so I can do it around the pool! … They are a fascinating family. I think all families are creepy in a way.” Part of the caption for the image, based on Arbus’s corresponence, reads, “The parents seem to be dreaming the child and the child seems to be inventing them.
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Status
- Currently Off View
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Department
- Photography and Media
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Artist
- Diane Arbus
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Title
- A Family On Their Lawn One Sunday in Westchester, New York
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Place
- United States (Artist's nationality:)
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Date
- Made 1968
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Medium
- Gelatin silver print
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Inscriptions
- Signed by artist in ink, lower right
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Dimensions
- 38.4 × 38.2 cm (15 1/8 × 15 1/16 in.)
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Credit Line
- Gift of Richard Avedon
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Reference Number
- 1986.2977
Extended information about this artwork
Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.