Patriotic Boy with Straw Hat, Buttons and Flag, Waiting to March in a Pro-war Parade, NYC, , from the portfolio A Box of Ten Photographs

Arbus was intrigued by the bizarre aspects of human existence, and she documented the underside of mainstream culture in many of her photos. Whether she was wandering the streets of New York, or seeking out subjects at various pageants, conventions, competitions and other events across the country, Arbus was constantly in search of distinct and unusual subjects. The artist was exceptionally sensitive to nuances of expression or gesture. In this image she has captured the open expression and vulnerability of her young sitter, despite the evocative message of his pro-war accessories.