Skip to main content

Robert Frank Art

American, Swiss, 1924-2019

Though he was born in Switzerland, photographer Robert Frank’s greatest legacy was his representation of places and figures across the United States, the bulk of which was published in a seminal book titled The Americans.

Frank emigrated to America in 1948, settling in New York City, where he was hired as a fashion photographer for Harper’s Bazaar by the magazine’s legendary art director Alexey Brodovitch, who also recruited Lisette Model, Richard Avedon and mid-century-era style-setting couple Leslie Gill and Frances McLaughlin-Gill. Frank’s artistic style — and use of a 35mm Leica, an unconventional choice in the fashion world — proved not to be a fit, however, and he left the job after a few months. He went on to produce street photography around the city while working freelance jobs for the likes of Vogue, Life and other publications.

But it was leaving New York that would produce Frank’s most notable work. Throughout the 1950s, with the support of a Guggenheim Fellowship and guidance from Walker Evans, he embarked on a series of cross-country road trips, traversing nearly every state in the continental U.S. and producing a wealth of arresting photographs of its inhabitants. The black-and-white images pioneered what became known as a “snapshot aesthetic,” capturing a spontaneous moment. Subjects are often out of focus and rarely looking toward the camera, and rippled fabric or bent grasses often suggest movement and breeze.

After an initial publication in France, where the photographs appear alongside essays, The Americans was released in the U.S. in 1959 with a foreword by author Jack Kerouac, who espoused Frank’s ability to capture a uniquely American spirit.

“That crazy feeling in America,” Kerouac wrote, “when the sun is hot and music comes out of the jukebox or from a nearby funeral, that’s what Robert Frank has captured in tremendous photographs taken as he traveled on the road around practically forty-eight states in an old used car.”

Following the release of The Americans, Frank turned much of his attention to film. He would go on to produce a film version of Kerouac’s The Beat Generation and cofounded the New American Cinema Group in 1960. He died in 2019.

Find Robert Frank photography on 1stDibs.

to
2
Overall Width
to
Overall Height
to
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
10,340
2,808
2,500
1,408
1
1
Artist: Robert Frank
Hollywood

Hollywood

By Robert Frank

Located in New York, NY

It's hard to imagine an approach to photography that contrasted more with Robert Frank’s freewheeling style than Hollywood’s glamour shots of film stars in the 1950s. The stills depa...

Category

1950s Robert Frank Art

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Robert Frank, Paris, 1951, Black and White Photography, Tulips

Robert Frank, Paris, 1951, Black and White Photography, Tulips

By Robert Frank

Located in London, GB

Paris - Robert Frank (Black and White Photography) Signed and dated Silver gelatin print, printed 1970s 14 x 11 inches Frank’s photographs focused on elements of everyday life that ...

Category

1950s Robert Frank Art

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Related Items
Halston, Dolly Parton & Andy Warhol at Studio 54
Halston, Dolly Parton & Andy Warhol at Studio 54

Halston, Dolly Parton & Andy Warhol at Studio 54

By Andy Warhol

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

This work is unique. Stamped on the reverse by The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. Foundation number also on verso. The work comes with an Authentication Letter from the Andy Warhol Authentication Board, Inc. Provenance: Gift of the Artist to Pat Hackett to Hedges Projects...

Category

Late 20th Century Pop Art Robert Frank Art

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Penny Marshall and Brian Ferry
Penny Marshall and Brian Ferry

Penny Marshall and Brian Ferry

By Andy Warhol

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

This work is unique. Stamped twice on the reverse by both The Estate of Andy Warhol and The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Art...

Category

1980s Pop Art Robert Frank Art

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Liberace Eating at 860 Broadway
Liberace Eating at 860 Broadway

Liberace Eating at 860 Broadway

By Andy Warhol

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

This work is unique taken by Andy Warhol of Liberace eating in the conference room at 860 Broadway. The contact sheet this photo appears on shows his dining companions included John Sex...

Category

Late 20th Century Pop Art Robert Frank Art

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Andy Warhol with Ronald Perelman at the Beverly Hills Hotel
Andy Warhol with Ronald Perelman at the Beverly Hills Hotel

Andy Warhol with Ronald Perelman at the Beverly Hills Hotel

By Andy Warhol

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

This work is unique. Stamped twice on the reverse by both The Estate of Andy Warhol and The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts inventory number written on verso and initialed Tim Hunt (“T.J.H.”). This is a unique work which comes with a Certificate of Provenance from The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts issued by Christie’s, the acting registrar of The Foundation. Provenance: Estate of the Artist to The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts to Hedges Projects...

Category

1980s Pop Art Robert Frank Art

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Michael J. Fox
Michael J. Fox

Andy WarholMichael J. Fox, 1986

$20,000

H 10 in W 8 in

Michael J. Fox

By Andy Warhol

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

This work is unique taken by Andy Warhol at a party at a restaurant (possibly for the movie "Light of Day") with Michael J. Fox, Joan Jett, Allan Carr, Nona Hendryx, Richard Weisman,...

Category

Late 20th Century Pop Art Robert Frank Art

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Anti Defamation League Dinner with Halston & Elizabeth Taylor
Anti Defamation League Dinner with Halston & Elizabeth Taylor

Anti Defamation League Dinner with Halston & Elizabeth Taylor

By Andy Warhol

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

This is a unique photographic work. Stamped on the reverse by The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. Foundation number also on verso. The work comes with an Authentication...

Category

Late 20th Century Pop Art Robert Frank Art

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Carol Burnett
Carol Burnett

Andy WarholCarol Burnett, 1978

$25,000

H 10 in W 8 in

Carol Burnett

By Andy Warhol

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

This work is unique. Dated 'SEP 27 1978' on the reverse. Stamped twice on the reverse by both The Estate of Andy Warhol and The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. The Andy...

Category

1970s Pop Art Robert Frank Art

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Andy Warhol Getting Cast of Face for the Lewis Allen "No Man Show" Robot
Andy Warhol Getting Cast of Face for the Lewis Allen "No Man Show" Robot

Andy Warhol Getting Cast of Face for the Lewis Allen "No Man Show" Robot

By Andy Warhol

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

This is a unique work taken in Andy Warhol's studio at his direction. In The Andy Warhol Diaries, there are several mentions of Lewis Allen in 1980 approaching Warhol about being on ...

Category

1980s Pop Art Robert Frank Art

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Andy Warhol Getting Cast of Face for the Lewis Allen "No Man Show" Robot
Andy Warhol Getting Cast of Face for the Lewis Allen "No Man Show" Robot

Andy Warhol Getting Cast of Face for the Lewis Allen "No Man Show" Robot

By Andy Warhol

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

This is a unique work taken in Andy Warhol's studio at his direction. In The Andy Warhol Diaries, there are several mentions of Lewis Allen in 1980 approaching Warhol about being on ...

Category

1980s Pop Art Robert Frank Art

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Jodie Foster
Jodie Foster

Andy WarholJodie Foster

$20,000

H 8 in W 10 in

Jodie Foster

By Andy Warhol

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

This work is unique. Stamped on the reverse by The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. Foundation number also on verso. The work comes with an Authentication Letter from th...

Category

Late 20th Century Pop Art Robert Frank Art

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Photorealist painter Chuck Close with his work, signed by Jack Mitchell
Photorealist painter Chuck Close with his work, signed by Jack Mitchell

Photorealist painter Chuck Close with his work, signed by Jack Mitchell

By Jack Mitchell

Located in Senoia, GA

11 x 14" vintage silver gelatin photograph of photorealist painter Chuck Close photographed with his work in 1981. Signed by Jack Mitchell on the verso. Comes directly from the Jack...

Category

1980s Pop Art Robert Frank Art

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Hubert de Givenchy and Unidentified Woman
Hubert de Givenchy and Unidentified Woman

Hubert de Givenchy and Unidentified Woman

By Andy Warhol

Located in Beverly Hills, CA

This work is unique. Stamped twice on the reverse by both The Estate of Andy Warhol and The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Art...

Category

Late 20th Century Pop Art Robert Frank Art

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Previously Available Items
The Americans: 81 Contact Sheets
The Americans: 81 Contact Sheets

Robert FrankThe Americans: 81 Contact Sheets

Sold

H 24.5 in W 20.75 in D 2 in

The Americans: 81 Contact Sheets

By Robert Frank

Located in New York, NY

The is the last remaining set available by any gallery. Danziger Gallery is pleased to present the legendary but rarely seen limited edition portfolio “ROBERT FRANK - THE AMERICAN...

Category

1950s Robert Frank Art

Materials

Photographic Film, Lithograph, Silver Gelatin

Untitled, Amusement Park
Untitled, Amusement Park

Untitled, Amusement Park

By Robert Frank

Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA

Signed on the back of the print, lower right. Exhibited Cantor Arts Center, Stanford University, 1985.

Category

20th Century Robert Frank Art

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Motorama, Los Angeles
Motorama, Los Angeles

Motorama, Los Angeles

By Robert Frank

Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA

Signed on the front of the print, lower right in black ink. Exhibited Cantor Arts Center, Stanford University, 1985.

Category

20th Century Robert Frank Art

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Photo Booth
Photo Booth

Robert FrankPhoto Booth, 1955

Sold

H 8.25 in W 13 in

Photo Booth

By Robert Frank

Located in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA

Signed on the front of the print, lower right in black ink. Exhibited Cantor Arts Center, Stanford University, 1985.

Category

20th Century Robert Frank Art

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Robert Frank art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Robert Frank art available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Robert Frank in silver gelatin print and more. Not every interior allows for large Robert Frank art, so small editions measuring 11 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Murray Garrett, Steven Klein, and John Stryker. Robert Frank art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $50,000 and tops out at $70,000, while the average work can sell for $55,743.

Artists Similar to Robert Frank