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.
Mabou Portfolio
By Robert Frank
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Robert Frank (1924–2019) was one of the most influential photographers of the 20th-century. Best known for his landmark book The Americans (1958), Frank transformed documentary photo...
Photo-lithograph
$25,000
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...
Silver Gelatin
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 ...
Silver Gelatin
Toilet / Fountain at Baur au Lac Hotel in Zurich
By Andy Warhol
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This is a unique photograph was taken by Warhol in the bathroom at Baur au Lac Hotel in Zurich. Toilets were a common subject of Warhol's photos. This photo is dated 'Mar 9 1982' (on...
Silver Gelatin
Paul Newman and Lee Marvin (Signed)
By Terry O'Neill
Located in New York, NY
Ed. 45/50, signed by Terry O'Neill. Includes black frame. Terry O’Neill CBE is one of the world’s most collected photographers with work hanging in national art galleries and privat...
Silver Gelatin
$1,500
H 20 in W 16 in
Photogenic Drawings Poster famed Japanese photographer (Hand Signed by Sugimoto)
By Hiroshi Sugimoto
Located in New York, NY
Hiroshi Sugimoto Photogenic Drawings (Hand Signed), 2012 Offset Lithograph Poster. (Hand signed by Hiroshi Sugimoto) Unframed This offset lithograph poster was hand-signed by photogr...
Offset, Lithograph, Permanent Marker
$30,000
H 8 in W 10 in
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...
Silver Gelatin
$90
H 4.22 in W 3.47 in D 0.04 in
Stefanie Schneider Polaroid sized unlimited Mini 'Planes' - signed
By Stefanie Schneider
Located in Morongo Valley, CA
Stefanie Schneider Polaroid sized unlimited Mini 'Planes' - 2001 - signed in front, not mounted. 1 Digital Color Photograph based on the Polaroid. Polaroid sized open Editions 19...
Archival Paper, C Print, Color, Lambda, Polaroid
Marie-Chantal & Robert Miller
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...
Silver Gelatin
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...
Silver Gelatin
$4,118
H 15.75 in W 13 in D 0.4 in
Robert Doisneau Paul Arzens' "Electric Egg" in front of the Eiffel Tower
By Robert Doisneau
Located in Saint-Didier, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Robert Doisneau Paul Arzens' "Electric Egg" in front of the Eiffel Tower Silver Print 1980 Signed lower right 40.5 x 33.5 cm Dimensions with frame: 73 x 52.5 cm unique copy This aut...
Silver Gelatin
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...
Silver Gelatin
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,...
Silver Gelatin
Love Boat Reunion with Lana Turner
By Andy Warhol
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
This is a unique photographic print, taken by Andy Warhol in Los Angeles at the Love Boat Thousandth Guest Star party with Lana Turner, Ginger Rogers, Cloris Leachman & Aaron Spellin...
Silver Gelatin
Andy Warhol & Pia Zadora
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...
Silver Gelatin
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...
Photographic Film, Lithograph, Silver Gelatin
Original Rolling Stones, Exile on Main Street Vinyl Record
By Robert Frank
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Vintage Original Rolling Stones Exile on Main Street Vinyl 1st Pressing, 1972 Photography/Artwork by Robert Frank Cover, inserts & both rec...
Offset
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.
Silver Gelatin
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.
Silver Gelatin
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.
Silver Gelatin