Westlake, California 1956

Robert Frank made this gelatin silver print, Westlake, California, sometime in the mid-twentieth century. At first glance, this photograph looks like a straightforward depiction of suburban life. But look closer, and you'll see a cultural commentary about postwar American society. In the image, a classic car is parked next to a neat lawn and modest home. These details evoke the rise of consumer culture and the idealization of the nuclear family. The black and white medium and somewhat grainy texture lends a sense of detachment, mirroring Frank’s outsider perspective as a Swiss immigrant. The composition is subtly off-kilter and contrasts with the image of order and stability presented in the scene. Is it a commentary on the social and cultural landscape of the time? Is it a critique of the American dream? To understand Frank’s work, we often consult not only art historical sources, but sociological studies and period advertising. This helps us to understand both the image and its cultural context.