Robert Frank

Robert Frank (1924–2019) was a pioneering Swiss American photographer and filmmaker whose work redefined documentary photography and influenced generations of artists. Born in 1924 in Zurich, Switzerland, Frank moved to the United States in 1947, where he quickly became a key figure in the world of photography. His most famous work, The Americans (1958), is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential photographic books of the 20th century.

Shortly after Frank’s arrival in New York City in 1947, the photographer was hired by the legendary art director Alexey Brodovitch to work at Harper’s Bazaar. The following year, already tired of working for the fashion magazines, Frank travelled to South America where he photographed extensively and freely for the first time with the 35mm camera. The result was Frank’s first photographic book, Peru (1948), which also represented an essential step in his development that led to the creation of his seminal work The Americans.

The Americans was a groundbreaking project that offered a raw, unfiltered view of American society during the 1950s. Frank travelled across the United States, capturing the everyday lives of people from all walks of life. The resulting images were stark and often critical, revealing the deep-seated divisions and contradictions within American culture. The book's unconventional style, which eschewed the polished aesthetics of traditional photography in favour of a more gritty, spontaneous approach, initially received mixed reviews but later became a touchstone in the history of photography. The accompanying introduction by Jack Kerouac, a leading figure of the Beat Generation, further cemented the book’s cultural significance.

Frank’s work is known for its unflinching honesty and its ability to convey complex emotions through simple and cinematic compositions. His photography often focused on themes of alienation, poverty and the disparities between the American dream and reality.

In addition to his photography, Frank was also an accomplished filmmaker. Among his films was Pull My Daisy (1959), written and narrated by Kerouac and starred American poet and writer Allen Ginsberg, and Cocksucker Blues (1972), which chronicled The Rolling Stones American Tour 1972 in support of the band’s album Exile on Main St., the cover photography of which was created by Frank.

Robert Frank died in 2019, aged 94. He exhibited internationally, with shows at the Art Institute of Chicago, Tate Modern in London and Kunsthaus Zürich. Today, Frank’s work continues to be studied and celebrated, ensuring his place in the pantheon of great photographers.