While viewing this image, visitors responded to one of the questions Catherine Opie posed about portraits.


  • What do you think makes a portrait interesting?

  • How do the titles of these photographs make you think differently about the people they portray?

  • Some of these images are made spontaneously while others are carefully staged by the artist. How does this difference in approach affect your response?


How did this woman get me to stand here in my underwear to have my picture taken? She seemed so nice and friendly and said it would only take a moment. Now I'm cold and embarrassed and who knows where my picture is going to turn up?


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Rineke Dijkstra, Kolobrzeg, Poland, July 27, 1992, 1992. Chromogenic print, 56 5/8 x 44 5/8 inches (143.8 x 113.3 cm), edition 6/6. Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, Purchased with funds contributed by the Photography Committee 98.5233
To read more about Catherine Opie's work, visit Catherine Opie: American Photographer