the rest of her career. Removed from their political context, however,
Riefenstahl’s images are admired today for their technique and for
the beauty of the human body—though she only photographed
those that were perfect. Less contentious were her photographs of
the Nuba, an ancient tribe in sudan, whose beauty, traditions, and
rituals she recorded for seven years during the 1960s, again with her
interest concentrated upon the possessors of magnificent bodies.
the documeNtary style
After the horrors of World War II, sensuality and tenderness were
emphasized much more in nude pictures. The artists now gave
names to their models, some of whom were their wives. The
most characteristic example is the American photographer Harry
Callahan (1912–1999). He made numerous studies of his wife
Eleanor, particularly from 1947 to the late 1950s, using a variety
of techniques, and placing her both indoors and in the natural
landscape. Today this series is regarded by some as the most
important area of his work, with photographs that speak of the
intimacy, trust, and love between them.
The American artist Diane Arbus (1923–1971) also photographed
the nude in the environment in a documentary and realistic style
throughout the 1950s and 1960s. Arbus is known for her sensitivity
toward individuals who lived at the border of society and for her
fascination with the grotesque and the marginalized; circus people,the documentary style 21 Harry Callahan
Eleanor (1948), gelatin silver print. Callahan’s warm and
tender portrayal of his wife Eleanor over many years created
one of the first sensual visual diaries, showing her at home,
on city streets, and in the landscape.