London 23 1952 - 1953

Robert Frank made this photographic contact sheet, titled London 23, at an undetermined date. It shows various images from London. Frank was part of a generation seeking to break free from established norms in art, and his work embodies a raw, unfiltered view of society. The unedited contact sheet offers insight into Frank's creative process, challenging the conventional presentation of photography within art institutions. In postwar Europe, the artist saw a society undergoing rapid transformation. The images, though fragmentary, capture ordinary urban life, the impact of industrialization, and perhaps a sense of social alienation. Note the marks and notations on the sheet, revealing the artist's active engagement with his material. To fully appreciate Frank’s work, historians examine not only his personal biography, but also the broader history of photography, exhibition practices, and the social and cultural contexts that shaped his vision.