Cadillacs no number 1955 - 1956

Robert Frank’s photo series, “Cadillacs no number,” captures the automobile as a potent symbol of post-war American aspirations. These vehicles, emblems of progress and personal freedom, reflect a society in pursuit of material dreams. Consider the automobile not merely as transport, but as a cultural hieroglyph, echoing the chariots of antiquity. Like the sun chariot of Apollo, these Cadillacs are powerful vehicles, promising status, dominance, and escape. This motif, evolving from mythic narratives to modern marketing, speaks to the enduring human desire for control and transcendence. The emotional weight of the image lies in its contrast; the gleaming cars juxtaposed with the often-somber expressions of potential buyers. This juxtaposition suggests a deeper, perhaps subconscious, yearning for fulfillment, a psychological tension that resonates with viewers across generations. The Cadillac, in this context, transcends its immediate function, becoming a modern-day icon, laden with cultural significance and personal longing. Its image, like symbols throughout history, embodies the cyclical nature of human desire and aspiration.