The article discusses a pivotal exhibition at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam showcasing Robert Frank's work from his series The Americans. Highlighted is a poignant photograph of two women observing a parade in Hoboken, N.J. from their windows, evoking a sense of isolation under the American flag. This stark image contrasts with vibrant magazine covers from the same era, emphasizing the duality of American self-image—between idyllic representations and the underlying despair. Co-curators Mattie Boom and Hans Rooseboom observe that American photography has historically navigated these contrasting poles.
Robert Frank's photograph contrasts the enthusiasm of a parade with a sense of gloom, reflecting the isolation and despair amidst American life in the 1950s.
In the first room of the Rijksmuseum's exhibition, Frank’s black-and-white photographs starkly juxtapose with colorful magazine covers, showcasing the dual nature of American self-image.
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