Robert Frank, an image visionary who transcended geographic and stylistic boundaries, is a fundamental name in the history of 20th century photography. With his innovative approach and raw vision of reality, Robert Frank captured moments and redefined the visual language of photography. This article explores Robert Frank's artistic journey, from his early days as a fashion photographer to the production of one of his most influential works, "The Americans." Additionally, we will examine how his contributions went beyond photography, influencing cinema and inspiring a generation of artists to challenge established norms. Get ready to step into the intriguing visual world of Robert Frank and discover how his lenses reshaped the way we perceive photographic art.
What is Robert Frank's artistic career?
Early Career (1941-1947): Robert Frank began studying photography in 1941, and for the next six years, he worked for commercial photography and graphic design studios in Zurich, Geneva and Basel. In 1947, he moved to the United States, where he worked for Harper's Bazaar, but soon resigned due to the limitations of fashion photography.
Photojournalism and Publications (1950-1955): Between 1950 and 1955, Robert Frank worked as a freelancer, producing photojournalism and advertising photographs for magazines such as LIFE, Look, Charm, and Vogue. During this period, he received support from important figures in the New York art world, including Edward Steichen, Willem de Kooning, Franz Kline and Walker Evans.
Guggenheim Fellowship and "The Americans" (1955-1956): Influenced by Walker Evans, Robert Frank received a Guggenheim Fellowship that allowed him to travel around the United States in 1955 and 1956. During this period, he captured the images that would become his most famous book, "The Americans" (1958), a work that revolutionized photography.
Publication of "The Americans" (1958-1959): The book "The Americans" was initially published in 1958 in Paris, with texts by renowned writers. The American edition, released in 1959, was introduced by Jack Kerouac. Despite initial negative reviews, it became a seminal work in the history of photography.
Cinema and Documentaries (1959 onwards): After the publication of "The Americans," Robert Frank moved away from traditional photography to focus on film. His notable films include "Pull My Daisy" (1959), co-directed by Alfred Leslie and narrated by Jack Kerouac. In 1972, he released the controversial documentary "Cocksucker Blues" about the Rolling Stones.
Return to Photography (1970s onwards): In the 1970s, Robert Frank returned to photography and published his second photographic book, "The Lines of My Hand" (1972). However, his subsequent works, while significant, did not achieve the same impact as "The Americans."
Personal Life and Death (1970s-2019): After separating from his first wife, Robert Frank married sculptor June Leaf. His daughter Andrea died in a plane crash in 1974, and his son Pablo was diagnosed with schizophrenia. In 1995, he founded the Andrea Frank Foundation in his daughter's memory. Robert Frank passed away on September 9, 2019, at his home in Nova Scotia, Canada.
What are Robert Frank's most famous works?
"The Americans" (1958): Robert Frank is best known for his influential work "The Americans" (1958), which is, without a doubt, his most famous and impactful work. This book of black and white photographs presents a raw and provocative view of American society in the 1950s, capturing the diversity of people and situations. The images challenge the established conventions of photography of the time and offer a unique and often melancholic view of life in the United States.
"40 Photos" (1946): This was the first book of photographs made by Robert Frank. In 1946, Robert Frank traveled and photographed in Milan, Paris and Strasbourg. During this period, he also created his first book, an exclusive spiral-bound volume entitled "40 Photos". Incorporating original photographs from various genres, the book displays Robert Frank's early recognition of the power of presenting multiple photographs on a single page or in a bound series. The cover, a montage of a human eye viewed through an open camera lens, sets the tone for a clever play between formal and thematic opposites while emphasizing similar shapes and properties. Robert Frank juxtaposes seemingly disparate images (e.g., close views of tree trunks with distant landscapes, radio tubes with live musicians, snow-covered pine trees with lacy fabrics) and pairs closely aligned images (a man holding a pig and a woman reaching for a bale of hay, two wild animals fighting against their cages, a man climbing a rope and a skier in the air) in a sophisticated exploration of repetition, contrast, gesture and sensation.
"Pull My Daisy" (1959): Pull My Daisy is a short film that symbolizes the beat generation. Directed by Robert Frank and Alfred Leslie, it is an adaptation of the third act of a play that Jack Kerouac never finished, titled Beat Generation. The title Pull My Daisy was taken from the poem of the same name written by Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg and Neal Cassady in the late 1940s, which also appears in the jazzy composition at the film's opening. Based on an incident in the lives of Neal Cassady and his wife Carolyn, Pull My Daisy tells the story of a railroad brakeman whose wife, a painter, invites a respectable bishop to dinner. However, the brakeman's bohemian friends suddenly appear at the party, which yields comical results. For years, Pull My Daisy was lauded as a masterpiece of improvisation, until Leslie revealed in 1968 that the film was in fact carefully planned, rehearsed and directed by Alfred Leslie and Frank.
"Cocksucker Blues" (1972): A documentary about the band The Rolling Stones on their tour. The film is known for its raw, unfiltered look at life on the road with the band.
"The Lines of My Hand" (1972): This is Robert Frank's second photography book, characterized by a more personal and introspective approach. It is considered a kind of "visual autobiography."
"Me and My Brother" (1969): A fiction and documentary film, exploring themes of insanity, displacement and explores the deep artistic bohemian life in New York in the 1960s. The film follows a faux vérité approach and involves notable figures such as Allen Ginsberg, Joseph Chaikin, Peter Orlovsky and the Frank's catatonic, schizophrenic brother, Julius. This is not just a documentary record, but a sensorial and existential journey. "Me and My Brother" is a tender portrait of friendships in a bohemian setting, while also questioning the artist's divided loyalties between work and family. The work reveals Robert Frank's fascination with the malleability of truth, creating conditions for improvisation within a scripted context. This approach would later be developed in his notorious films such as "Cocksucker Blues" (1972) and "Candy Mountain" (1987), a collaboration with writer Rudy Wurlitzer. "Me and My Brother," transports the viewer to the artistic scene of a revolutionary decade, but also to the inquisitive and daring mind of Robert Frank, where the boundaries between reality and representation become as fluid as his photographic images. This film is a fundamental piece in the puzzle of Robert Frank's artistic contribution to 20th century visual culture.
How did Robert Frank change photography?
Realistic and Raw Approach: Robert Frank was a pioneer in adopting a more realistic and raw approach to photography. His images in "The Americans" captured authentic moments of everyday American life, often challenging ideal, optimistic depictions of society at the time. He moved away from traditional and formal aesthetics, seeking spontaneity and visual honesty.
Innovative Use of the Leica 35mm: Robert Frank used the 35mm Leica camera in an innovative way. Instead of the medium format cameras more common at the time, he opted for a more discreet and agile approach. This allowed him to capture images quickly and without drawing too much attention, contributing to the authenticity of his street photographs.
"Outsider's" Perspective: As a Swiss immigrant to the United States, Robert Frank brought an "outsider" perspective to his work. He observed American society with a critical eye, highlighting contradictions and inequalities that often went unnoticed by local residents. This distinct vision influenced other photographers to approach their work with a more questioning and analytical eye.
Influence on Documentary Photography: "The Americans" is considered a landmark in documentary photography. Robert Frank challenged the conventions of the genre, moving away from traditional linear narratives and adopting a more subjective and poetic approach. He showed that photography could be as valid a form of artistic expression as any other.
Inspiration for New Photographers: Robert Frank's approach served as inspiration for a new generation of photographers, including the likes of Diane Arbus and Garry Winogrand. His influence is evident in contemporary photography, where the focus on authenticity, personal narrative and breaking conventions continues to be a trend.
Evolution to Cinema: In addition to photography, Robert Frank also impacted the world of cinema. His film "Pull My Daisy" and other experimental film projects demonstrated an innovative approach to visual language, influencing avant-garde filmmakers.
Robert Frank changed photography by challenging established norms, adopting a more realistic and subjective approach, and inspiring a new generation of visual artists to explore more authentic forms of expression through image. His influence continues to resonate in contemporary photography.
