Guggenheim 707--Casper, Wyoming 1956

This is Robert Frank's "Guggenheim 707--Casper, Wyoming," a photographic contact sheet. Frank’s work is deeply intertwined with the social and political landscape of mid-20th century America. Born in Switzerland, Frank brought a critical outsider's eye to the U.S. He received a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1955 to travel across the country, documenting everyday life. This contact sheet provides a glimpse into Frank’s photographic process during that journey. Frank's images often captured the undercurrents of American society, revealing the divides of race and class. He critiques the idealized vision of the American Dream. The contact sheet shows Frank's own process of image selection. It reminds us that what we see in a finished photograph is the product of choices reflecting the artist’s own social and political perspective. To further understand Frank's work, consider exploring his published book, "The Americans," and research on the social conditions of the 1950s, including the Civil Rights Movement.