As the photographer approaches his/her own demise, the struggles over mortality shape their technique towards capturing a moment, visually corroborating the interconnection between artist and subject. Due to their intimate involvement with physical reality, it becomes impossible to deny the presence of the photographer in their photograph. The examination of five photographers, each with diverse backgrounds and manners of death from one another, establishes that while death may be a solitary, unique experience, it is also a universal one. Critical analysis of the last three years of work by Diane Arbus, Imogen Cunningham, Robert Mapplethorpe, Ralph Eugene Meatyard, and Francesca Woodman suggest the same: as the artist approaches their death, death is regularly seen as both a symbol in and subject of their work.
Advisor: Dr. Danielle Muller, PhD.
Abstract, manuscript samples and/or bibliography available upon request.
