Medals/New York 1951

Robert Frank’s gelatin silver print captures a seemingly candid moment in New York. Frank, a Swiss immigrant, embarked on a cross-country road trip in the mid-1950s, funded by a Guggenheim Fellowship, to document American society. In this photograph, a man's hand holds up multiple chains, possibly medals or religious tokens. Beside him stands a man in what looks like military uniform. The blurred background gives a sense of a bustling crowd, perhaps suggesting an event or gathering. It's a fleeting, ambiguous image, reflecting Frank's interest in capturing the pulse of America. Frank's work often explores themes of alienation and social tension. "Medals/New York" encapsulates these themes by showing an unidealized view of American life, hinting at both its promises and its contradictions. The photograph leaves us to reflect on themes of value, belief, and the individual's place within a larger societal framework.