Trees--Landscape 1941 - 1945

Curator: Robert Frank, renowned for his stark and influential photojournalism, captured "Trees--Landscape" between 1941 and 1945. It’s a gelatin silver print, a relatively early work predating his famous "The Americans" series. Editor: Immediately, I'm struck by the contrast. It's so unlike his street photography. There's a softness, almost a wistfulness here, in the starkness of the branches reaching toward the light. Curator: Yes, the subject matter diverges from his urban themes, but the attention to form and tone remains a consistent thread. It possesses a naturalistic style, capturing a serene slice of life during what was obviously a difficult time for him personally. Editor: It speaks volumes about finding solace in the natural world amidst global turmoil. I mean, we’re talking about the height of World War II. To me, this image is making an argument that humanity is irrevocably linked to, and at the mercy of, larger systems of powers. Curator: Absolutely. Consider trees as recurring motifs in art across cultures—they embody life, growth, resilience, and connection between earth and sky. Here, it seems Frank is drawing upon that well of visual associations. The way the limbs interweave, it's like a complex visual tapestry. Editor: Exactly! It's nature but with an unnerving awareness of interconnectedness. And there is something elegiac to this picture. Considering its date, is the landscape presented as a metaphor of trauma, perhaps? An exploration of damaged lands during such conflict? Curator: An interesting read. Or, on the contrary, an attempt to ignore the events to heal during private peaceful reflection. These bare branches become almost abstract. What resonates with me is how photography captures a sense of ephemerality so precisely, especially when showing trees—their presence rooted in the soil, and yet their appearance changes endlessly. Editor: I agree. It certainly allows for a much needed discussion of both resilience, and ephemerality. Well, Frank's picture is still prompting discussion almost a hundred years later! Curator: And hopefully a little bit more with our dialogue.