Robert Frank, the influential Swiss-born photographer who died on September 9, 2019 at age 94, left an indelible mark on photojournalism in America and the world.
Born in Zurich, he emigrated to the US in 1947, worked for Harper’s Bazaar and later created a stir in 1958 with the publication of his book of photographs, “ The Americans, “ an unsettling view of the country in the mid-1950s. For some, the images were an unflinching and honest view of alienation and displacement; for others, the reaction was negative – America was portrayed grimly, lacking the aura of a happy postcard.
“ I was passionate about losers…people that were taken advantage of, that really couldn’t make it, that would never make it…those people I felt passionate about. “ *
– Robert Frank
Photographs from “ The Americans “
In 1957 Frank joined a group of poets, writers and artists who became known as the Beat Circle. These “ beatniks “ were apolitical free spirits in a post-war America.
In 1959, he, along with Alfred Leslie, directed a short film entitled “ Pull My Daisy, “ a look at this artistic circle, including poet Allen Ginsberg, artist Larry Rivers, Frank’s young son Pablo and others. It was written and narrated by the writer Jack Kerouac.
“ Daisy “ would be followed by more projects in film, as well as video, collages and montages.
Frank concluded he needed to look beyond “ The Americans “ and decided not to repeat its style.
In the years to come, his work turned increasingly personal, especially after moving to Mabou, Nova Scotia. The death in 1974 of his daughter, Andrea, in a plane crash in Guatemala and his son, Pablo’s struggle with schizophrenia and subsequent death deeply impacted his work.
Selected Works: 1971 – 2005^
Robert Frank will always be remembered for his “ Americans “ and it’s sweeping portrait of a nation divided by class and struggling to make life better for those less fortunate. Together with his personal work, we have a broader appreciation of this great humanist and artist.
GR
30 July 2020
Sources and photo credits:
*CBS SUNDAY MORNING (1987).
Frank on “The Americans” and other aspects of his work.
https://www.cbsnews.com/video/from-1987-robert-franks-americans/#x
** The New Yorker
https://www.newyorker.com/culture/photo-booth/the-shock-of-robert-franks-the-americans/amp
***Art Institute Chicago
https://www.artic.edu/collection?artist_ids=Robert%20Frank&page=1
^ Selected Works: 1971 – 2005
https://www.nga.gov/features/robert-frank/new-york-and-nova-scotia-multiple-frames-1971-2005.html
(then click “ Photographs 1971 – 2005 “ at bottom of page)
“ Pull My Daisy “ – YouTube.com
SFMOMA – Robert Frank
https://www.sfmoma.org/watch/robert-frank-young-artist/
The New York Times
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/10/arts/robert-frank-dead-americans-photography.html
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George Romanation 