Unidentified Sitters
Mike Disfarmer
Description
Subject Matter:
Mike Disfarmer, originally named Mike Meyer, owned and operated a portrait studio in rural Heber Springs, Arkansas between 1926 and his death in 1959. Often considered an eccentric man, Disfarmer changed his name after his mother’s death to dissociate himself from his roots. He believed that a tornado had uprooted him as an infant and that he landed with the Meyer family, a name he believed meant “farmer” in German. His photographs were discovered in his studio before it was demolished following his death, and purchased for five dollars. They were later offered to the Arkansas Sun and shared with Modern Photography, which lead to the production of a major book and exhibition in 1976 and 1977. Disfarmer’s images have since gained more attention and praise for documenting and offering rare insight into a small, rural town.
Physical Description:
A portrait of a seated couple against a wall with a single stripe in the center of the composition. The man, sitting on the left, wears a military uniform and has his arm around the woman's shoulder.
Usage Rights:
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