Three Penny Opera IV c. 1957 - 1958

Robert Frank made this photographic print called "Three Penny Opera IV", and right away, I'm thinking about how it’s all about capturing a series of moments. It’s like he’s riffing on a theme, each frame a slightly different take. I can almost feel Frank's hand moving, feel the pressure and the anticipation, trying to freeze a bit of real life. What was he trying to capture, I wonder? Was he thinking about light, about the story, or just the sheer joy of watching something unfold? It reminds me of film and how one artist can influence another, even across different forms. I am transported back to Kurt Weill's score. Each strip of images is like a musical measure. Photography’s always been about that dance between the artist and the world, and Frank? He’s a master of the two-step.