Coney Island c. 1958 - 1979

This 1958 photograph by Robert Frank captures a man in Coney Island holding a doll and a parasol, laden with symbolic weight. The doll, an emblem of innocence and vulnerability, is juxtaposed with the weathered figure of the man, creating a poignant contrast. Consider how dolls, once potent religious icons representing fertility, have transformed into mere children's playthings, yet still evoke primal feelings tied to infancy. Similarly, the parasol, historically a symbol of status and protection, lies furled in his grip. This pairing reminds us of the ancient Roman Fortuna, often depicted with symbols of both triumph and fragility, emblems of life's unpredictable nature. Here, Frank seems to tap into the collective memory of such images, engaging our subconscious recognition of life's delicate balance. Just as Aby Warburg traced the persistence of classical motifs through Renaissance art, Frank invites us to witness the cyclical recurrence of archetypal symbols in modern life, imbued with new yet resonant meanings.