Paris 99B 1951 - 1952

Robert Frank created "Paris 99B," a gelatin silver print, sometime during his time in Paris. This image represents a series of frames on strips of photographic film. Frank's work is known for its raw, sometimes gritty portrayal of social realities. In the context of post-war Paris, this aesthetic takes on a specific meaning. We might consider the rapid social changes, the influx of American culture, and the lingering effects of war on the French psyche. The unedited film strip format suggests a lack of formal constraint, perhaps reflecting a broader cultural shift away from tradition. To fully understand this image, a dive into the cultural and artistic climate of Paris at that time would be invaluable. Researching the photography scene, the influence of American expatriates, and the prevailing social attitudes could reveal deeper layers of meaning within Frank's work. It is through this contextualization that the significance of "Paris 99B" truly emerges.