Robert Frank

1924 — 2019

Robert Frank was one of the most important photographers of the 20th century. The Zurich-born photographer is best known for his influential photo book "The Americans" (1958), which contains photographs the artist took on a trip through the United States in the mid-1950s. To this day, the black-and-white photographs it contains continue to influence artists from around the world – from documentary to fashion photographers.

The book's publication opened the doors to exhibitions around the world, including at the Art Institute of Chicago, the Tate Modern, and the Kunsthaus Zürich. Today, his photographs often achieve six-figure prices at auction – although Frank's loose approach, which often resulted in blurred images and distorted horizons, was initially controversial. Today, he is celebrated for capturing American culture in a way that is at once raw and cinematic, and that remains unparalleled to this day.