Peru, page 4 1948

This photograph, simply titled 'Peru, page 4' was taken by Robert Frank, an artist known for his black-and-white photography. The image presents a stark contrast between the natural and the industrial. The landscape, seemingly untouched, meets a train in the background, a symbol of progress and perhaps, intrusion. Made sometime in the mid-20th century, this work invites us to reflect on the impact of modernization on traditional societies. Frank’s lens captures a moment that speaks volumes about the socio-economic shifts occurring in Peru, a country with a rich history marked by colonial exploitation and indigenous resistance. Railroads, often associated with development, also represent the extraction of resources and the disruption of local ways of life. How can we understand the cultural impact and the political implications of such infrastructural projects? To answer this, we can look at archives, historical documents and other photographs and accounts of the time.