Man reading, Universal Studios--Universal City, California 1956

"Man reading, Universal Studios" is a 1956 photograph by Robert Frank, known for its candid and often gritty portrayal of American life. The image captures a man seated at a desk, reading a book in a sparsely furnished room, with a plaster statue of a woman, a desk lamp, and a roll of paper visible in the background. This photograph, characteristic of Frank's "The Americans" project, uses a minimalist aesthetic and natural lighting to capture a fleeting moment of daily life, prompting reflection on the human experience in modern America.