9. How did a New York nanny become one of the great photographers of the 20th century?

In 2007 John Maloof, bought for $380 dollars a case full of picture negatives, in a Chicago auction house. After the chess lingered in his house for two years he had a few of the negatives developed. What he discovered was astounding, powerful pictures out run of the mill people that according to the article; “that, once seen, can never be unseen.” Perplexed by the conundrum before him, why these pictures where never shown to the world, John quickly tracked down the photographer, Vivian Maier. Vivian was a quiet, secluded and rather odd person who worked as a nanny. Never going anywhere without her camera hanging around her neck. Very secretive she had a padlock placed on her door, regardless of the house she was working at. Also a compulsive hoarder who collected everything from receipts to newspapers. This talented woman who only now has been seen by the world is being called one of the best photographers of the twentieth century.    

The author of this exquisite article, Deborah Ross, not only is informing people about a photographer, but of a genius that until recently was invisible. The article starts with the discovery of such a talent, a “detective story”. How John managed to get more negatives, talk to the people that hired Vivian, talk to the people she raised. Then the article changes gears and hones in on Vivian herself. “She was tall (nearly six foot), her self-portraits show, with a strong, certain face. She also made audiotapes of her own voice which, when played, will send chills down your spine just as, interestingly, in the circumstances, the true voice of P.L. Travers sent a chill down my spine at the end of Saving Mr. Banks.” The article then wraps up with how very little is known about Vivian, not even her father’s name. As well as how she almost went unnoticed by the world.      

http://www.spectator.co.uk/arts/cinema/9265021/raw-true-and-powerful-on-the-trail-of-vivian-maiers-photographs/