Three Penny Opera III c. 1957 - 1958

Robert Frank captured this contact sheet for *Three Penny Opera III* using photographic film. As a piece, this work departs from traditional photography, revealing the artist's process. We see the film strips themselves, with the sprocket holes and frame numbers intact. The high contrast and grainy texture inherent in the film stock, combined with Frank's raw, documentary style, lend the work an immediacy. Frank's work is deeply rooted in social observation. The medium is key; his use of photography speaks to the democratization of art. It’s a medium accessible to many, unlike painting or sculpture. He is not only capturing images, but also the grit of everyday life, the struggles of the working class, and the underbelly of society. It’s a testament to how materials, processes, and social context all intertwine. It elevates the everyday to art, blurring lines between fine art and craft.