Burlesque comedienne in her dressing room, Atlantic City, N.J. 1963
About this artwork
The subject in this portrait does not seem to fit with the caption Arbus has given to the picture. The "comedienne’s" face is distinctive in its lack of amusement: her painted-on cupid’s bow lips are set in a frown that is accentuated by her thickly-pencilled arched eyebrows. It is difficult to imagine her telling a joke. The girlish blonde ringlets, ribbon necktie and frilled sleeves all seem out of keeping with her face, which reveals her expression of displeasure and her age. As in the photograph of the 'Topless Dancer in her Dressing Room 1968', Arbus here draws attention to the performer’s surroundings – the peeling plaster, concrete floor, makeshift mirrors and overflowing bin suggest that this wasn’t the glamorous life she may have hoped for when she started out.
Updated before 2020
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artist:Diane Arbus (1923 - 1971) American
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title:Burlesque comedienne in her dressing room, Atlantic City, N.J. 1963
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date created:1963; printed after 1971
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materials:Gelatin silver print on paper
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measurements:37.00 x 37.30 cm (framed: 61.90 x 62.00 x 1.90 cm)
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object type:
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credit line:ARTIST ROOMS National Galleries of Scotland and Tate. Acquired jointly through The d'Offay Donation with assistance from the National Heritage Memorial Fund and Art Fund, 2008
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accession number:AR00528
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gallery:
Diane Arbus
Diane Arbus
Diane Arbus is one of the most influential photographers of the twentieth century. Born in New York City, she was working as a fashion photographer before she began to pursue an artistic career. Arbus made portraits of people from across society, but is best known for her powerful images of people...