Mountains--Landscape 1941 - 1945

Curator: This gelatin silver print, simply titled "Mountains--Landscape," was created by Robert Frank sometime between 1941 and 1945. It's a compelling example of his earlier work, before his more iconic street photography. Editor: My first thought? Austere. The greyscale really emphasizes the ruggedness of the landscape. There’s a palpable sense of isolation and, dare I say, indifference in the face of such a vast panorama. Curator: Indeed. The mountains, of course, are a universally understood symbol of resilience and permanence. The layers of peaks, fading into the distance, remind me of humanity's repeated attempts to climb higher, to reach some sort of understanding, some grand vista of meaning. Editor: But what about who is excluded from that view? This photograph seems almost entirely devoid of signs of human impact. During this time, what were the social and political factors surrounding these mountains and access to this view? Where are the traces of people who did not have the means to access this idyllic and remote view? Curator: That is a valid point. However, Frank, with his masterful play of light and shadow, could be suggesting a deeper message. Note the expanse of what seems like mist hugging the foot of the range, obscuring perhaps smaller villages in their daily business. There's almost an acknowledgement of the unnoticed lives that lie in these spaces, protected by their isolation. Editor: Perhaps, though that can also feel like a romanticizing of distance and inequity. During this time in history many were shut off from experiences and views like this. To not name the societal factors and inequities is a missed opportunity to draw contemporary insights out of historical imagery like this. Curator: I see what you mean. It becomes about who gets to experience transcendence and beauty. And you’re right to pull that thread into the present; who has access today? Editor: Exactly. Thinking about power structures, whether intentionally or unintentionally, images inevitably become reflections of their cultural moment. Even landscapes.