Signs, convention hall--Chicago 1956

Robert Frank’s gelatin silver print captures a political convention, a frenzied spectacle dominated by placards bearing the name “Harriman.” This name, multiplied across the image, transforms into a powerful symbol of political ambition. The repetition echoes ancient practices of invoking deities or rulers through repeated names and effigies. Consider the Egyptian pharaohs, whose cartouches were ubiquitously inscribed to assert their divine authority. Here, in Frank's photograph, the motif becomes an almost desperate plea, "Harriman can win," reminiscent of ancient rituals aimed at influencing fate. This symbol resurfaces in contemporary advertising and propaganda, a testament to its enduring psychological power. The image captures the intensity of political fervor, a timeless human drama of hope, ambition, and the collective will, engaging viewers on a subconscious level, echoing through history in an unbroken chain of visual expression.