Willem de Kooning 3 1961

Robert Frank created this photographic work titled "Willem de Kooning 3." As a Swiss-born American photographer, Frank challenged the often-sanitized portrayals of American life prevalent in mainstream media during the mid-20th century. His work often grapples with themes of alienation and social disparities. This photo shows a series of images, potentially outtakes or documentary shots. It offers a fragmented, almost voyeuristic look into the life of Willem de Kooning, the abstract expressionist painter. Frank’s photography doesn’t shy away from showing the messiness of life. It is interested in the stories of those on the margins. What we are seeing here is not a carefully constructed image, but one that offers a raw and unfiltered portrayal of a celebrated artist. In its non-conformity, this work reflects Frank’s broader approach to challenging conventional representations, inviting us to consider the complexities of identity, and the stories we tell about ourselves and others.