Patriotic young man with a flag, N.Y.C. 1967
About this artwork
In 1967 the Vietnam War was at its height and, as opposition to the war continued to grow, many street protests attempted to turn American political opinion against the conflict. Against the tide of public opinion, pro-war marches instead petitioned to "Support Our Men in Vietnam". Despite the sheer number of people on the streets, Arbus didn’t veer from her trademark style of portraiture and document the crowds, instead picking out faces that interested her. The directness of Arbus’s portraits can sometimes make them uncomfortable to view, as here, where she forces the viewer up close to this man’s face. The flash is merciless, highlighting his acned skin, cracked teeth and shiny shirt, as well as the bright white of his badge with its message "I’m Proud", to create an unsettling image of American patriotism.
Updated before 2020
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artist:Diane Arbus (1923 - 1971) American
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title:Patriotic young man with a flag, N.Y.C. 1967
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date created:1967
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materials:Gelatin silver print on paper
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measurements:37.20 x 36.10 cm (framed: 61.80 x 61.80 x 1.80 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:AR00541
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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...