Mary and Pablo, NYC, 1951
Vintage gelatin silver print
8 ½ × 13 in.
Signed and titled in ink on recto
October 28, 2024
This intimate domestic scene from 1951 offers a window into Robert Frank's life with Mary Frank, and their infant son Pablo. The two newlywed artists were living together in the East Village at the time and were immersed in the artistic milieu there. Mary was studying with the painter Hans Hoffman and the year prior Frank's work had been introduced to American audiences when he was selected by Edward Steichen for inclusion in 51 American Photographers at The Museum of Modern Art. Frank's picture captures both a maternal tenderness and a spirit of budding possibility and youthful vigor—even the two young cats next to the bed are hungry for life.
MoMA is currently presenting Life Dances On, the museum's first solo exhibition devoted to Robert Frank, the show is on view through January 11, 2025.
