The unexpected photography of Graciela Iturbide

Graciela Iturbide (Mexican, born 1942). “Mujer, angel, desierto de Sonora (Angel Woman, Sonora Desert).” Mexico, negative 1979; print about 2000.  (©Graciela Iturbide/The J. Paul Getty Museum. Promised gift of Daniel Greenberg and Susan Steinhauser, Los Angeles.)

Graciela Iturbide (Mexican, born 1942). “Cholos, Harpys, East L.A. “ Mexico, negative 1986; print 1996.  (©Graciela Iturbide/The J. Paul Getty Museum. Promised Gift of Daniel Greenberg and Susan Steinhauser, Los Angeles.)

Graciela Iturbide (Mexican, born 1942). Autorretrato (Self-Portrait), Oaxaca, 2006; Mexican; Gelatin silver print; Image: 11.4x11.4 cm (4 1/2 x 4 1/2 in.); Sheet: 17.8x 12.7 cm (7 x 5 in.); L.2007.78.38.  (©Graciela Iturbide/The J. Paul Getty Museum. Courtesy of the artist and Rose Gallery, Santa Monica, Mexico City)

Graciela Iturbide (Mexican, born 1942). “Nuestra Senora de las Iguanas” or “Our Lady of The Iguanas,” Mexico, negative 1979; print mid-1990s.  (©Graciela Iturbide/The J. Paul Getty Museum. Promised Gift of Daniel Greenberg and Susan Steinhauser, Los Angeles)

Graciela Iturbide (Mexican, born 1942); Magnolia, Juchitán, Oaxaca, Negative 1986; print 2005; Mexican; Gelatin silver print; (18 1/24 x 12 3/4 in.)  (©Graciela Iturbide/The J. Paul Getty Museum. Promised Gift of Daniel Greenberg and Susan Steinhauser, Los Angeles)

Graciela Iturbide (Mexican, born 1942); Iguanas, Juchitán, Oaxaca, Negative 1985; print mid-1990s; Mexican; Gelatin silver print; 16 3/8 x 12 7/8 in.)  (©Graciela Iturbide/The J. Paul Getty Museum. Promised Gift of Daniel Greenberg and Susan Steinhauser, Los Angeles)

Graciela Iturbide (Mexican, born 1942); Mexico D.F., 1969; Mexican; Gelatin silver print; Image: 15.6 x 23 cm (6 x 9 in.)  (©Graciela Iturbide/The J. Paul Getty Museum)

Graciela Iturbide (Mexican, born 1942). “Magnolia, Juchitan, Oaxaca.” Mexico, negative 1986; print 2005.  (©Graciela Iturbide/The J. Paul Getty Museum. Promised Gift of Daniel Greenberg and Susan Steinhauser, Los Angeles.)

Graciela Iturbide (Mexican, born 1942). “Rosario and Boo Boo in her Home, East Los Angeles.” Mexico, negative 1986; print 2006.  (©Graciela Iturbide/The J. Paul Getty Museum)

Graciela Iturbide (Mexican, born 1942); Cholas, White Fence, East L.A., Negative 1986; print late 1990s; American; Gelatin silver print; Image (22 x 14 7/8 in.).  (©Graciela Iturbide/The J. Paul Getty Museum. Courtesy of the artist and Rose Gallery, Santa Monica, Mexico City)

Graciela Iturbide (Mexican, born 1942); La Frontera, Tijuana, Mexico/La Frontera (the Border), Tijuana, Baja California, 1990; Mexican; Gelatin silver print; Image 12 1/2 x 8 3/4 in.)  (©Graciela Iturbide/The J. Paul Getty Museum)

Graciela Iturbide (Mexican, born 1942); Curación [The Healing] Juchitán, Oaxaca, 1988; Mexican; Gelatin silver print; (18 3/8 x 12 5/8 in.).  (©Graciela Iturbide/The J. Paul Getty Museum. Promised Gift of Daniel Greenberg and Susan Steinhauser.)