New York City no number c. early 1950s

Robert Frank made this contact sheet, New York City no number, with a camera and film, sometime in the mid-20th century. It’s a set of images, all taken at the same time, and probably in quick succession; there is a sense of a story unfolding, or perhaps an idea being investigated over time. Each image is a subtle variation on the same scene. It feels like we are right there with the photographer, experiencing the city alongside him. I can imagine Robert Frank walking around, taking photos, editing them, making selections, and trying to find the “right” image. What was he thinking? What caught his attention? The light, the people, the cars? I feel like I am looking at a private conversation, an intimate dialogue between the artist and his subjects. And I can imagine so many photographers since Robert Frank who have looked at this work and felt that same urge to go out and wander the streets. His work is a gift, a source of inspiration that keeps on giving.