Eugene Von Bruenchenhein captured images of his wife, Marie, the “queen of his existence,” in thousands of photographs. Marie is presented mostly nude in a wide spectrum of pinup poses that are curiously unarousing; perhaps it is the vapid, disengaged look in her eyes as she allowed herself to be manipulated into any position that satisfied her husband’s creative (perhaps sexual) urges. Some of the most emotionally authentic photographs are those that present Marie in natural poses, devoid of staged artificiality.

Stacy C. Hollander, "Untitled (Marie outdoors)," exhibition label for Jubilation|Rumination: Life, Real and Imagined. Stacy C. Hollander, curator. New York: American Folk Art Museum, 2012.