Congressional U c. 1954 - 1955

Robert Frank made this photographic contact sheet, Congressional U, at an undetermined date. The images, likely taken in the United States, offer a glimpse into the world of American politics. Frank was interested in the everyday, but his work often highlighted social inequalities and challenged mainstream narratives. This sheet shows politicians in various settings. The use of a contact sheet itself is important, as it allows us to see the photographer's process. The red markings over some images indicates which ones Frank chose not to develop further, an insight into his artistic choices and the images he thought were most powerful. Considering the time this was made, we might ask how Frank’s work comments on the social structures of its time. Was it a critique of the institutions of art or politics? It's a job for the historian to research the political climate, Frank's other work, and even his personal background, to understand the image better. Art history isn't just about the art, but the world around it.