Miels Esperson Building--Houston, Texas 1955

Robert Frank made this gelatin silver print of the Miels Esperson Building in Houston, Texas. What strikes me is how he’s found the unexpected in the everyday, turning a cityscape into a study of form and texture. The grey scale here is beautiful, allowing Frank to play with contrasts and subtle tonal shifts. Look at how the smooth surfaces of the industrial tower play off the ornate gothic building behind it and the beaux-arts building to the right. The image has a grainy texture, a testament to the artist’s process. It’s not about hiding the mechanics; it’s about revealing them, making them part of the story. Frank’s work reminds me a little of Walker Evans, who also had an eye for the overlooked corners of America. But Frank brings a certain grit, a restlessness, that’s all his own. It's a reminder that art is about seeing, feeling, and daring to show the world as you experience it.