A Jewish giant at home with his parents in the Bronx, N.Y. by Diane Arbus (1970)

This iconic photograph titled “A Jewish giant at home with his parents in the Bronx, N.Y.” was captured by the renowned photographer Diane Arbus in the year 1970. It portrays a very tall young man standing in a living room, towering over his considerably shorter parents who are gazing up at him with a mix of affection and perhaps concern. The contrast in size between the son and his parents is striking, and the scene is set against a backdrop of a modestly furnished home with details such as patterned curtains, a framed picture on the wall, and traditional furniture, which collectively evoke the era and setting of a mid-20th century Bronx apartment.

In the photograph, the man’s height draws immediate attention, and he is bending slightly at the knees and neck, likely to fit within the confines of the room. His posture and expression convey a sense of discomfort or self-consciousness about his size. The parents look up at their son, the mother with a hand on her cheek and the father with his hands by his side, both wearing expressions that might be interpreted as a combination of pride and concern. The scene effectively captures a poignant family dynamic and the extraordinary physicality of the son within the ordinary setting of their home.

Other Photographs from Diane Arbus

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