Skip to Main Content

 Admission is always freeOpen today: 10:00  to 5:00  Directions             Play Artle            

                  -  Visit                      - Visit
                    - Getting Here
                    - Accessibility
                    - Tours, Guides & Maps
                    - Food & Drink
                    - Gallery Shops
                    - Visitor Policies 
                  -  Collection                      - Collection
                    - Highlights
                    - Search the Collection
                    - Artists Search
                    - Acquisition Highlights
                    - Stories
                    - Games 
                  -  Exhibitions                      - Exhibitions
                    - Current
                    - Special Installations
                    - Upcoming
                    - On Tour
                    - Past 
                  -  Calendar                      - Calendar
                    - Films
                    - Performances
                    - Talks
                    - Guided Tours
                    - After Hours
                    - Fun for Kids
                    - Festivals
                    - Workshops 
                  -  Learn                      - Learn
                    - Teachers
                    - Families
                    - Teens
                    - Adults
                    - Learning Resources
                    - Music Programs
                    - Film Programs 
                  -  Conservation                      - Conservation
                    - Projects
                    - Publications
                    - Resources 
                  -  Research                      - Research
                    - The Center
                    - Publications
                    - Make an Appointment
                    - Archives
                    - Library
                    - NGA Online Editions 
                  -  Support                      - Support
                    - Donate Now
                    - National Membership
                    - Circle Membership
                    - Leadership Groups
                    - Planned Giving
                    - Major Giving
                    - Gifts of Art 
                  -  Shop                      - Shop
                    - Books
                    - Jewelry
                    - Apparel & Accessories
                    - Kids
                    - NGA Custom Prints 
                  -  Play Artle

Home>Exhibitions>Past>2009>Looking In

# Looking In: Robert Frank's The Americans

January 18 – April 26, 2009West Building, Ground Floor, Outer Tier Galleries G26 through G29

 

**This exhibition is no longer on view at the National Gallery.**

**Overview:** Some 150 photographs, 28 contact sheets, 17 books, and 15 documents relating to Robert Frank's *The Americans* were presented in this exhibition marking the 50th anniversary of the American publication of the book. Collages of Robert Frank's original work prints, designed by National Gallery of Art curators with the photographer's consent, were presented to demonstrate his working method. Original prints of all 83 photographs reproduced in the book also were on view, as were letters from Walker Evans and Jack Kerouac. The exhibition concluded with a section titled *Destroying Americans*, which included a short film made by Robert Frank showing the physical destruction of the book. Many of the works on view were selected from the collection of the National Gallery of Art with additional loans from public and private collections.

Exhibition curator Sarah Greenough gave an opening-day lecture, *Transforming Destiny into Awareness: Robert Frank's "The Americans*." A public symposium, *Robert Frank and the Photographic Book*, was held on January 24. Robert Frank joined curator Sarah Greenough on March 26 for the Elson Lecture *A Conversation with Robert Frank*. On January 18, the film *An American Journey*, by French filmmaker Philippe Seclier, had its North American premiere. The film retraces Frank's 1955–1956 trip around the United States, on which *The Americans* was based. Additional screenings of the film were held in April. A program of films by Robert Frank and his contemporaries was shown in the auditorium during January and April. In honor of the exhibition, the 63rd American Music Festival in March presented works by American 20th-century composers.

**Organization:**The exhibition was organized by the National Gallery of Art, Washington. Sarah Greenough, senior curator and head of the department of photographs, was curator.

**Sponsor:**Access Industries was principal sponsor. The exhibition was also supported by the Trellis Fund. Early support for research was provided by the Marlene Nathan Meyerson Family Foundation. The catalogue was published with assistance of the Getty Foundation.

**Attendance:**  114,564

**Catalog:***Looking In: Robert Frank's "The Americans" — Expanded Edition* by Sarah Greenough, with Stuart Alexander et al. Washington: National Gallery of Art in association with Steidl, 2009. A softcover edition with abbreviated backmatter also was published.

**Other Venues:**  San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, May 16–August 23, 2009The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, September 22–December 27, 2009

                  - Peter Vinograde, pianist
                  -                                     Audio, Released:                                    June 15, 2010, (26:05 minutes)                                
                  - Looking In: Robert Frank's 'The Americans'
                  -                                     Audio, Released:                                    January 13, 2009, (28:33 minutes)                                

### Stay connected

Learn more about our exhibitions, news, programs, and special offers.

About
          - About the National Gallery
          - Stories
          - Press
          - FAQs
          - Contact Us

Plan a Visit
          - Getting Here
          - Accessibility
          - Today's Tours
          - Food & Drink
          - Calendar
          - Downloadable Map

Get Involved
          - Donate
          - Membership
          - Volunteer
          - Opportunities
          - Shop Online

Resources
          - Search the Collection
          - Conservation
          - Library
          - Archives
          - The Center
          - Film Programs
          - Music Programs
          - Audio/Video
          - Open Access Images

Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily

**West Building**6th St and Constitution Ave NW*Enter or exit from Constitution Avenue, 4th Street, or 7th Street. The Madison Drive entrance is currently closed.*

**East Building**4th St and Constitution Ave NW*Enter and exit from 4th Street.*

**Sculpture Garden**7th St and Constitution Ave NW*Enter and exit from 7th Street, Constitution Avenue, or Madison Drive.*

We are closed on December 25 and January 1.

*The National Gallery of Art serves the nation by welcoming all people to explore and experience art, creativity, and our shared humanity.*

          -  Twitter 
          -  Facebook 
          -  Instagram 
          -  Pinterest 
          -  YouTube 

© 2024 National Gallery of Art   Notices   Terms of Use   Privacy Policy