Men raising Swiss flag 1941 - 1945

Robert Frank made this gelatin silver print, titled "Men raising Swiss flag." The photograph is dominated by the looming Swiss flag, dramatically angled as it's being raised. Its dark and light contrasts create a striking visual tension against the grainy sky. The flag's oversized presence dwarfs the men below, altering our sense of scale and proportion. Frank was interested in challenging conventional meanings in photography. In this image, the flag, a loaded symbol of national identity and unity, is not presented in a moment of triumphant display, but in a moment of labor, its meaning complicated by the ordinary actions of these men. Look again at the flag's skewed position and imposing size. These formal aspects not only create visual interest but also prompt us to consider the multilayered significance of national symbols and their place within cultural and political landscapes.