Exhibition «Los Americanos»

For the first time in Spain, Espacio Fundación Telefónica brings together the 83 photographs that make up «Los Americanos», one of Robert Frank's most influential projects. The exhibition is held as part of PHotoESPAÑA 2026 and makes it possible to see the complete series, including the images that form part of the book published in 1958.

Between 1955 and 1956, Frank travelled across the United States photographing streets, cafés, funerals, rodeos, tram passengers and people whom nobody normally paid attention to. Of the approximately 28,000 photographs taken during the journey, he selected only 83. In them, the United States is shown without artifice and apart from the usual ceremonial image, through chance scenes, faces and details of everyday life.

When the book was published, the photographs caused controversy. Frank was reproached for his overly sombre view of the country and his interest in those aspects of American society that rarely appeared before the lens. Today, precisely that tone is considered one of the series' main characteristics.

The exhibition, curated by David Campany, a researcher of Frank's work, brings together works from the Maison Européenne de la Photographie de Paris, the International Center of Photography in New York and private collections. Visitors will also be able to see an excerpt from Laura Israel's documentary «Robert Frank, la mirada de América», dedicated to the creation of the series.