Swiss flag on mountain peak, Arosa 1943 - 1944

Editor: Robert Frank's "Swiss flag on mountain peak, Arosa," taken between 1943 and 1944, is a gelatin-silver print. Its stark monochrome gives it a solemn, almost haunting quality. What compositional elements stand out to you? Curator: Formally, I am immediately drawn to the stark contrast. The white flag against the grayscale landscape emphasizes the graphic nature of the Swiss flag, its iconic cross. This starkness and tonal arrangement produces a captivating interplay between light and shadow, thereby creating visual intrigue through minimalist design. Editor: I see that. So, are you suggesting that its power resides in this basic geometric configuration? Curator: Precisely. We cannot overlook how the picture plane is divided. Notice the upper two-thirds is consumed by the blank sky. It accentuates the flag’s central positioning, rendering it as a focal point of profound national significance, devoid of contextual support. What feelings arise for you? Editor: The height seems so desolate. I initially missed that almost the whole composition rests on one central component, making it extremely powerful. Curator: The success of the work hinges on its very composition. Observe how this arrangement allows viewers to contemplate concepts tied to isolation, resilience and the sublime natural world as framed within national pride. Editor: Looking closely at the textures, I'm fascinated by how much information and subtle beauty exists despite its limited tonal scale. Thank you. I’ll contemplate this. Curator: An engagement with structure provides a valuable way into this iconic photographic piece; consider the dynamic and affective elements intertwined and ever present when observing Frank’s gelatin print work.