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New York City

1951
(American, 1924–2019)
America, 20th century
Gelatin silver print
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.)
John L. Severance Fund 1991.269
© 1979 Robert Frank
Location: not on view
This artwork is known to be under copyright.

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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

New York City

1951

Robert Frank

(American, 1924–2019)
America, 20th century

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