Laborers--People

1941-1945

Robert Frank

Associated Names
Robert Frank

Artist, American, born Switzerland, 1924 - 2019

This is a photograph of a street scene showing the maintenance or construction of railway tracks. The image captures a group of individuals working on a city street where tram or train tracks are being repaired or installed. The scene is bustling with activity, and in the foreground, the rough, uneven ground can be seen alongside the partially exposed railway tracks. Several individuals are in motion, suggesting manual labor such as shoveling or moving materials. The urban backdrop features multi-story residential or commercial buildings typical of an older cityscape, with detailed facades and balconies. The ambient lighting and shadow suggest it might be early morning or late afternoon, casting elongated shadows and a soft, ambient natural light over the street. The photograph effectively captures the dynamic interplay of industrial labor within an urban environment.
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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    gelatin silver print

  • Credit Line

    Robert Frank Collection, Gift of Robert Frank

  • Dimensions

    sheet (trimmed to image): 5.9 x 5.3 cm (2 5/16 x 2 1/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1994.37.192

  • Copyright

    © Robert Frank Foundation


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

The artist, New York; gift to NGA, 1994.

Associated Names

Wikidata ID

Q64160892

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