Snow with children--New York City no number 1957 - 1958

Robert Frank’s photographic strip shows children playing in the snow in New York City. The strips show an urban landscape transformed, the blanketing snow a canvas upon which the children imprint their joy. The child, particularly in winter landscapes, echoes a long-standing motif of innocence and renewal amidst starkness. We see echoes of this in Pieter Bruegel the Elder's "Hunters in the Snow," where children also animate a snow-covered scene, their presence suggesting life's continuation through harsh times. Over time, this symbol has recurred, transformed, yet consistently evoking themes of hope. Consider the collective memory embedded in these images. The carefree play of children contrasts sharply with the somber, monochrome tones, evoking a primal, almost subconscious, desire for simpler times. This dichotomy—joy set against a backdrop of potential hardship—engages us deeply, reminding us of our own childhood experiences and the universal quest for joy. It shows the cyclical progression of life, and how it can be found even in seemingly barren landscapes.