Mississippi River, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 1955

Robert Frank captured this photograph, "Mississippi River, Baton Rouge, Louisiana," using photography. The dominant symbol here is the cross held by a figure in white robes, set against the somber backdrop of the Mississippi River. The cross, a potent emblem of faith, sacrifice, and redemption, appears throughout history, transcending cultural boundaries. From ancient ankhs in Egypt, symbolizing life, to its adoption in Christianity as a symbol of salvation through Christ's sacrifice. Consider its earlier life as a pagan symbol of the four corners of the world. The emotional weight of the cross, imbued with centuries of collective memory, engages viewers on a deep, subconscious level. Here, Frank offers a modern, secular iteration of the symbol. The image suggests a continuity of spiritual seeking amid the currents of everyday life. The motif's emotional and spiritual power remains as potent as ever, continuing its non-linear progression through time.