Arlene Gottfried’s photographs of New York
The New York Historical presents Picture Stories: Photographs by Arlene Gottfried, an exhibition exploring the vibrant, gritty, and deeply human New York City captured by photographer Arlene Gottfried (1950–2017). Opening January 31, 2025, this exhibition features more than 30 photographs from the Museum’s recent acquisition of Gottfried’s works, offering a rare glimpse into the life and spirit of New Yorkers from the late 20th century.
“My mother used to say ‘Arlene—just don’t wander!’ Then I started wandering, but I got a camera because it gave it a little more meaning…a life of wandering is really what it all is,” Gottfried once said.
With her camera in hand, she roamed every corner of the city, capturing a range of subjects from Harlem’s gospel singers to the Lower East Side’s underground scenes, the vibrant nightclubs of Midtown, and the sun-soaked crowds on Coney Island.
“Arlene Gottfried’s photographs capture intimate slices of New York’s people and places, offering viewers a heartfelt and honest portrayal of the city that only a true New Yorker could convey,” Louise Mirrer, president and CEO, The New York Historical, said. “We’re incredibly grateful to our trustee, Sally Klingenstein Martell, for helping us acquire these photographs, and to Dara Gottfried for choosing The New York Historical to continue Arlene’s legacy.”
This exhibition celebrates the recent acquisition of nearly 300 of Gottfried’s works, gifted by her estate and acquired through the generous support of Sally Klingenstein Martell. Curated by Marilyn S. Kushner, curator of prints, photographs, and architectural drawings, the exhibition shines a light on Gottfried’s underrepresented artistry, revealing her work as a profound documentation of the city’s multifaceted humanity.
“Arlene had an extraordinary ability to see people beyond the surface, capturing their joys, hardships, and resilience,” Kushner said. “Through her photographs, she invites us to engage with a New York that was intimate, challenging, and wonderfully diverse. This exhibition is a tribute to her unique vision and her remarkable empathy for her subjects.”
This exhibition brings long-overdue recognition to Gottfried’s sensitive, honest, and sometimes searing portrayal of New York’s diverse population.
“As Arlene’s sister-in-law, I had the privilege of witnessing her remarkable passion for capturing the beauty and humanity of everyday life through her street photography,” said Dara Gottfried. “Before she passed, she entrusted me with the responsibility of managing her vast archive and sharing her work with the world. There is no greater way to honor her wishes than to see her art exhibited at The New York Historical and preserved forever in its library, where it can continue to inspire and resonate with future generations.”
About The New York Historical
New York’s first museum, The New York Historical is a leading cultural institution covering over 400 years of American history. Our offerings span groundbreaking exhibitions; peerless collections of art, documents, and artifacts; acclaimed educational programs for teachers and students nationwide; and thought-provoking conversations among leading scholars, journalists, and thinkers about the past, present, and future of the American experiment.
The New York Historical is a museum of museums and a collection of collections. We are home to the Patricia D. Klingenstein Library, the Center for Women’s History, the DiMenna Children’s History Museum, and the future American LGBTQ+ Museum. We elevate the perspectives and scholarship that define the United States’ democratic heritage and challenge us all to shape our ongoing history for the better.
