The New York Historical Announces Exhibition of Arlene Gottfried’s Iconic New York City Photography

Arlene Gottfried (1950–2017). Eternal Light Choir Performing, 1980. Cibachrome print. The New York Historical, Gift of Sally Klingenstein Martell © Estate of Arlene Gottfried

Picture Stories: Photographs by Arlene Gottfried, on View January 21 – May 25, 2025, Explores New York’s Vibrant Communities

The New York Historical is excited to announce the opening of Picture Stories: Photographs by Arlene Gottfried, an exhibition that explores the vibrant, gritty, and deeply human New York City captured by photographer Arlene Gottfried (1950–2017). Opening January 21, 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. This exhibition brings long-overdue recognition to Gottfried’s sensitive, honest, and sometimes searing portrayal of New York’s diverse population.

“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,” said Dr. Louise Mirrer, president and CEO, The New York Historical. “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, trustee of The New York Historical. 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,” said Kushner. “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.”

“I’m delighted that The New York Historical has acquired this extraordinary collection,” said Sally Klingenstein Martell, trustee of The New York Historical. “Arlene Gottfried’s work holds immense artistic value while also serving as a poignant record of a city that is slipping into memory. I have no doubt The New York Historical will draw from Arlene’s archives to enrich its exhibitions for years to come.”

“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.”

Support
Exhibitions at New-York Historical are made possible by Dr. Agnes Hsu-Tang and Oscar Tang, the Saunders Trust for American History, the Evelyn & Seymour Neuman Fund, the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, and the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. WNET is the media sponsor.

About the New-York Historical Society
Experience 400 years of history through groundbreaking exhibitions, immersive films, and thought-provoking conversations among renowned historians and public figures at the New-York Historical Society, New York’s first museum. A great destination for history since 1804, the Museum and the Patricia D. Klingenstein Library convey the stories of the city and nation’s diverse populations, expanding our understanding of who we are as Americans and how we came to be. Ever-rising to the challenge of bringing little or unknown histories to light, New-York Historical will soon inaugurate a new wing housing its Academy for American Democracy as well as the American LGBTQ+ Museum. These latest efforts to help forge the future by documenting the past join New-York Historical’s DiMenna Children’s History Museum and Center for Women’s History. Digital exhibitions, apps, and our For the Ages podcast make it possible for visitors everywhere to dive more deeply into history. Connect with us at nyhistory.org or at @nyhistory on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Tumblr.