Wales, Ben James, First Cigarette

1953

Robert Frank

Associated Names
Robert Frank

Artist, American, born Switzerland, 1924 - 2019

The image displays an elderly man crouching on the floor. His appearance indicates his age, and he holds a small object. He has short, unkempt hair and wears a long-sleeved shirt and a vest. Beside him is a large metal tub, and behind him is a fireplace with two kettles on the hearth. In front of the fireplace is a wire mesh guard, and a cloth hangs on the side. The background includes a textured wall and a partially visible door on the right. The setting suggests a modest interior with simple decor elements.
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Artwork overview

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Robert Frank, New York; (Pace/MacGill Gallery, New York); Betsy Karel, Washington, DC, 2003; gift to NGA, 2014.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

2003

  • Robert Frank: London/Wales, Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, May 10-July 14, 2003

2004

  • Robert Frank: Storylines, Tate Modern, London, 28 October 2004 - 23 January 2005; Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona, 8 February - 11 April 2005; Fotomuseum Winterthur and Fotostiftung Schweiz, 3 September - 20 November 2005

Bibliography

2003

  • Robert Frank: London/Wales. Exh. cat. Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, 2003: 111.

Inscriptions

on verso, signed by artist, on strip of masking tape affixed to lower left corner in black ink: 1ST CIGARETTE / 15 [circled] / Robert Frank / 1951; by unknown hand, on white label affixed to top right corner in graphite: RF.665; in black ink: (M); on white label affixed to lower right corner in black ink: RF-1081 / YAJIMA

Wikidata ID

Q64161397

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