Willem de Kooning 5 1961

"Willem de Kooning 5" (1961) is a contact sheet by renowned photographer Robert Frank (1924-2019). The sheet showcases a series of black and white photographs capturing Willem de Kooning in his studio, offering a candid glimpse into the artist's creative process. Frank's documentary style, known for its intimate and often gritty portrayal of American life, is evident in these snapshots, revealing de Kooning's working environment and interactions with others. The contact sheet, a staple in analog photography, is a valuable record of the photographer's choices and the unfolding narrative of a single photographic session. This intimate view of the influential abstract expressionist painter provides a unique perspective on the artist's creative process, adding a layer of depth to understanding de Kooning's work.