Self-Portrait 1945

Here's a small black and white photograph by Robert Frank titled "Self-Portrait," though you might not realize it's a self-portrait at first glance. Imagine Frank, down low, pointing his camera up at his bike, the sun casting a long shadow. Look closely, and you see the shadow of his hands holding the camera. It's almost sneaky, this portrait. Is it about him, or the bike? Or is the bike is just a stand-in for the man himself? Frank's known for these kinds of shots, raw and personal. This one reminds me a little of those Walker Evans's photos of everyday objects. Artists are always in conversation with each other, borrowing ideas, responding. Frank's self-portrait is not about perfection, but about life as it is, unvarnished. It's a nod to the everyday, finding beauty and meaning in the simplest things. It makes you think about what a portrait can be.