Men of Air/New York

1947

Robert Frank

Associated Names
Robert Frank

Artist, American, born Switzerland, 1924 - 2019

This is a black-and-white photograph of a parade with a large balloon figure floating in the air between city skyscrapers. The balloon figure is in the shape of a man hanging from a horizontal a bar or rod below a larger round balloon that floats between the tall buildings. In the center of the photograph, behind the balloon figure, is a tall skyscraper with a flag at the top. It appears slightly hazy, as if covered with mist. People, some wearing top hats, are gathered below, looking up at the balloons. We mainly see the tops of their heads. The sky beyond the buildings is pale gray.

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Artwork overview

Associated Artworks

See all 35 artworks
This is a photograph of a marching band walking along a street. The image shows a group of individuals in uniform, some carrying musical instruments. The figures are in a row, each wearing dark hats and light-colored jackets. The instruments include brass, with one featured in the foreground. A solitary figure walks in the opposite direction in the background. The backdrop is a plain wall, emphasizing the individuals and instruments. The photo has a monochrome palette.

Parade/Valencia

Robert Frank

1952

Lettering on this black square book has four lines of white text with “ROBERT FRANK” across and slightly cut off by the top edge. The next three lines together read “BLACK AND WHITE THINGS.” The left edge of the text is lined up left of center of the cover, and there are three holes punched on the leftmost edge, suggesting it might be part of a binder or notebook. The cover has some scuffs and dings.

Black White and Things

Robert Frank

1952

This is a photograph of an urban street scene featuring three figures walking along a sidewalk. The photograph captures three individuals walking briskly along the pavement. All three individuals are clad in dark suits and overcoats, carrying umbrellas. One of them holds a briefcase and newspapers under his arm. The figures are moving past a blank wall, which serves as the background for their silhouettes. The scene exudes an air of anonymity, with the blurred motion suggesting a candid street photography style. The lighting is subdued, and the image is in black and white, giving it a timeless feel.

Bankers/London

Robert Frank

1951

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

The artist, New York; gift to NGA, 1990.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1994

  • Robert Frank: Moving Out, National Gallery of Art, Washington; Yokohama Museum of Art; Kunsthaus Zürich, Zurich; Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam; Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; Lannan Foundation, Los Angeles, 1994-1996, no. 13.

2000

  • "Hold Still-Keep Going", Museum Folkwang Essen; Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, Madrid, 2000-2001.

2004

  • Robert Frank: Storylines, Tate, London; Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona, Barcelona; Fotostiftung Schweiz, Winterthur, 2004 - 2005, unnumbered catalogue.

2009

  • Looking In: Robert Frank's The Americans, National Gallery of Art, Washington; San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, San Francisco; The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 2009, no. 50.

Bibliography

1949

  • Camera 28 (December 1949): pl. 7 (recto only).

1951

  • Photo Arts (December 1951): 598 (recto only).

1994

  • Greenough/Brookman 1994, p. 30.

2004

  • Robert Frank: Storylines. Exh. cat., Tate, London; Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona, Barcelona; Fotostiftung Schweiz, Winterthur; Palazzo delle Esposizioni, Rome. London: Tate Publishing, 2004.

Inscriptions

lower left on linen tape hinge in graphite: 25

Wikidata ID

Q64161368

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