Celebrating the centennial of photographer Robert Frank’s (1924–2019) birth, this exhibition takes an in-depth look at the personal scrapbook of photographs Frank made for Mary Lockspeiser, the woman who became his first wife, titled Mary’s Book. Created in 1949, the one-of-a-kind, handmade book represents a formative moment in Frank’s career, when he experimented with juxtaposing images and text. Seventy-four small photographs and their accompanying inscriptions reveal Frank’s appreciation for the poetic resonance of objects and spaces. Many of the photographs are devoid of people, although a human presence is felt everywhere, such as pages where Frank muses on the chairs and streets of Paris with messages interspersed for Mary. The book is a reflection on solitary contemplation that reads like a lyrical poem and compelling personal photographic sequence.

“Robert Frank: Mary’s Book” features spreads from the album in the MFA’s collection as well as photographs Frank took in Paris, on loan from the artist’s foundation. It is accompanied by a publication that reproduces Mary’s Book in its entirety for the first time.

Herb Ritts Gallery (Gallery 169) Sponsors Supported by the Shelly and Michael Kassen Fund and The Bruce and Laura Monrad Fund for Exhibitions.