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New York City

1951

Robert Frank

(American, 1924–2019)
Culture
America
Medium
Gelatin silver print
Measurements
Image: 28.7 x 19.1 cm (11 5/16 x 7 1/2 in.); Paper: 35.5 x 27.8 cm (14 x 10 15/16 in.); Matted: 50.8 x 40.6 cm (20 x 16 in.)
Credit Line
John L. Severance Fund 1991.269
Copyright
© 1979 Robert Frank
This artwork is known to be under copyright.
Location
Not on view
Print

Description

General Douglas MacArthur received a hero’s welcome when he returned from Korea in April 1951 after being relieved of his command there by President Harry Truman; the two disagreed about escalating the Korean War. Robert Frank took this image on Wall Street. His composition visually rhymes the gung-ho patriotism of the sign endorsing MacArthur (and thus dissenting with the president) with the “meats” sign, which suggests a land of plenty but also hints at the costs of war. The photographer, a Swiss émigré who arrived in New York City in 1947, placed his own reflection in the middle of the American flag.

New York City

1951

Robert Frank

(American, 1924–2019)
America

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