Carnival--Basel no number 1952

"Carnival--Basel no number" is a contact sheet by Robert Frank from 1952. The contact sheet features a series of black and white photographs of a carnival in Basel, Switzerland. The images capture the energy and chaos of the event, showcasing the lively atmosphere and diverse crowd in a candid and documentary style. Frank’s use of contact sheets as a visual narrative is a key element in his artistic practice. They show his process and reveal the photographer’s selection of shots from a roll of film. The contact sheet is an iconic example of Frank’s "The Americans" project, a groundbreaking body of work that captured the essence of American society during the mid-20th century.