Ruth Orkin

Ruth Orkin (1921–1985) was an American photographer and filmmaker whose candid images captured postwar life and the emerging spirit of independent women. Born in Boston, she studied at the Women’s College of the University of North Carolina before moving to New York City in the early 1940s. There she worked as an assistant to portrait photographer Arnold Genthe and began freelancing for Life, Photo, and Look magazines, honing a keen eye for street scenes and human interaction.

Orkin’s most celebrated image, “American Girl in Italy” (1951), shows a young woman striding confidently down a Florence street as men glance in her direction. Originally intended as part of a travel story, the photograph transcended its assignment to become an icon of female autonomy and wanderlust. Over her career she produced hundreds of travel essays—from Parisian cafés to the beaches of Bahia—always emphasizing the everyday moments that reveal broader cultural shifts.

In addition to her still photography, Orkin directed short films about artists and athletes, and her work was featured in solo exhibitions at the Museum of Modern Art and the International Center of Photography. She inspired generations of photographers with her blend of technical precision and empathetic storytelling. Today her archive—held by the International Center of Photography—continues to inform discussions of gender, travel, and the art of the street photograph.