Robert Frank, a renowned photographer and filmmaker, was a pioneer of street photography in the 20th century. He is well-known for his groundbreaking book The Americans, which documented the post-war society of the United States. Despite his success and influence on modern photography, what happened to Robert Frank after his rise to fame remains largely unknown. In this article, we will explore the life and work of Robert Frank and attempt to answer the lingering question: what happened to Robert Frank?

Who was Robert Frank?

Robert Frank was a Swiss-American photographer and filmmaker who is best known for his groundbreaking book The Americans. He was born in Zurich, Switzerland in 1924. Frank’s work focused on documentary photography and he often documented scenes of poverty, racial injustice, and other social issues during the post-war era. He moved to New York City in 1947 and began photographing people on the street with an 8mm camera.

The Americans

In 1955, Frank published The Americans, an influential book of photography that documented the post-war society of the United States. The book was a collection of 83 photographs taken by Frank in various cities throughout the country and featured images of people from all walks of life. The photos were accompanied by text written by Jack Kerouac, who wrote po etically about the people and places photographed. The book was groundbreaking in its approach to documentary photography, as it provided an honest and uncensored look at life in America during that time period.

What Happened To Robert Frank?

Frank continued to work as a photographer and filmmaker throughout his life. He published several other books of photography, including Lines of My Hand (1972) and American Eyes (1976). He also directed several films, including the documentary Cocksucker Blues (1972) and Me and My Brother (1968). Frank’s work was often praised for its unique style and emotional depth.

In the late 1990s, Frank began to suffer from macular degeneration, a condition that caused him to go blind in one eye. Despite this setback, he continued to take photographs and make films. In 2004, Frank was awarded an honorary doctorate from the Rhode Island School of Design. He died in 2019 at the age of 94.

Early Life

Robert Frank was born in Zurich, Switzerland in 1924. He was the son of a wealthy Jewish family and had three siblings. He attended art school in Zurich and then worked as a commercial photographer for several years. In 1947, he moved to New York City with his wife, Mary Frank, and their two children.

Career

After moving to New York City in 1947, Robert Frank began to take photographs of people on the street. His work was heavily influenced by his own experiences as an immigrant and the challenges he faced as he adjusted to life in a new country. He eventually compiled his photos into The Americans, which had a huge impact on documentary photography and modern art.

Frank continued to work as a photographer and filmmaker throughout his life. He published several other books of photography, including Lines of My Hand (1972) and American Eyes (1976). He also directed several films, including the documentary Cocksucker Blues (1972) and Me and My Brother (1968). Frank’s work was often praised for its unique style and emotional depth.

Personal Life

Robert Frank was married to Mary Frank, who he met while they were both studying in Zurich. Together, they had two children and moved to New York City in 1947. Mary worked as a sculptor and printmaker throughout her life, and the couple remained together until Robert’s death in 2019.

Frank was an avid reader, often seeking out books about art and photography. He also enjoyed spending time with his family and was a passionate photographer, often taking photos of people he encountered on the street. In 2004, Frank was awarded an honorary doctorate from the Rhode Island School of Design. He died in 2019 at the age of 94.

Legacy

Robert Frank will always be remembered as one of the most influential photographers of all time. His work was groundbreaking in its approach to documentary photography, and it helped to open up a new world of possibilities for photographers. He was also an incredibly prolific filmmaker, directing several films that were praised for their unique style and emotional depth.

Frank’s photographs are now part of many permanent collections, including the Museum of Modern Art and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. His legacy continues to inspire photographers, filmmakers, and visual artists around the world.

Robert Frank Age

Robert Frank was born in 1924, making him 94 years old when he passed away in 2019. Throughout his life, he enjoyed spending time with his family and was a passionate photographer, often taking photos of people he encountered on the street. In 2004, Frank was awarded an honorary doctorate from the Rhode Island School of Design. Despite suffering from macular degeneration in his later years, he continued to take photographs and make films until his death.

Robert Frank Height

Robert Frank stood at an average height, although there is no exact record of his exact measurements. He was known for his unique style and approach to photography, often taking photos of people he encountered on the street. Despite his failing eyesight in later years, he continued to take photographs and make films until his death in 2019.

Robert Frank Net Worth

Robert Frank had an estimated net worth of $3 million at the time of his death in 2019. Throughout his career, he was known for producing some of the most iconic photographs and films in modern art. He was also a professor at several universities, including Princeton University and Cooper Union. His work has been featured in museums and galleries around the world, and his legacy continues to inspire photographers, filmmakers, and visual artists around the world.

 FAQs

Why was Robert Frank’s book criticized?

Robert Frank’s book, The Americans, was controversial when it was published in 1958. Critics argued that his photos were too dark and captured a bleak view of American life. Some also felt that the subjects of his photographs were too diverse, and not representative of the country as a whole. Despite the criticism, Frank’s work has since been praised for its unique style and emotional depth. It has been credited with helping to open up a new world of possibilities for photographers.

What did Robert Frank shoot with?

Robert Frank was a prolific photographer, and he typically used a 35mm Leica camera to capture his iconic images. He was known for his use of wide-angle lenses and an intimate shooting style, often capturing candid moments in the lives of his subjects. Frank also had a great eye for composition, often using framing devices such as doorways and windows to create interesting visuals. His work has been praised for its unique style and emotional depth.

What made Robert Frank famous?

Robert Frank is most famous for his groundbreaking book, The Americans. Published in 1958, the book featured photographs taken by Frank during his travels across America. His photos were unlike anything that had been seen before, as they captured a darker side of American life and showed people from all walks of life. The book was praised for its unique style and emotional depth, and it helped to open up a new world of possibilities for photographers.

Conclusion

Robert Frank was a groundbreaking documentary photographer and filmmaker who made a lasting impact on modern photography. His book The Americans is considered to be one of the most influential works of photography from the 20th century. Although Frank faced many challenges throughout his life, he continued to pursue his passion for photography until the very end. His legacy will continue to inspire future generations of photographers and filmmakers.