NICCOLINI, DIANORA.
Dianora Niccolini papers, circa 1930-2013

Restrictions on Access

Special restrictions apply: Use copies have not been made for audiovisual material in this collection. Researchers must contact the Rose Library at least two weeks in advance for access to these items. Collection restrictions, copyright limitations, or technical complications may hinder the Rose Library's ability to provide access to audiovisual material.

Researchers must contact the Rose Library in advance for access to unprocessed born digital materials in this collection. Collection restrictions, copyright limitations, or technical complications may hinder the Rose Library's ability to provide access to unprocessed born digital materials.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

All requests subject to limitations noted in departmental policies on reproduction.

Source

Gift, 2014

Citation

[after identification of item(s)], Dianora Niccolini papers, Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library, Emory University.

Processing

Unprocessed collection.

Biographical Note

Dianora Niccolini was born in Florence, Italy in 1936. Her mother was an American studying in Italy when she met Dianora's father, a marquis. The family lived in Florence through the end of World War II, then relocated to the United States. At the age of 18, Niccolini moved to New York City to attend Hunter College but was not interested in teaching or secretarial work, some of the traditional careers available to women at the time. She wanted to be an artist and worked in design until meeting the artist Weegee, who encouraged her to study photography. In 1963, she began her photographer career, working as a medical photographer first at Cornell Medical College, then at Manhatten Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital. She went on to found the medial photography departments at both Lenox Hill Hospital and St. Clare Hospital.

As an artist, Niccolini is known for her fine art male nudes and has exhibited in numerous solo and group exhibitions. Her first exhibition of male nudes premiered in New York City in 1975. She has published two photography books, Women of Vision (1982), an anthology of works by women photographers, and Men in Focus (1983). Her photographs also have been featured in several photography compilations. She is the founding president of Professional Women Photographers, and has taught photography at colleges in New York City. She is also a painter and writer, and worked on the development of an early video game based on her exhibition Men Watching.

Scope and Content Note

The collection consists of the papers of artist and photographer Dianora Niccolini from circa 1930-2013 and primarily contains photographs, negatives, and slides. The collection also contains subject files documenting Niccolini's teaching career and spiritual life; printed material relating to her exhibitions and speaking engagements; writings by Niccolini including speeches, articles, and poetry; files documenting development of the video game based on Men Watching; surgical films and photography by Niccolini; and a small amount of family and personal papers.

Arrangement Note

Unprocessed collection.