Born in Switzerland, Robert Frank came to the United States in search of greater artistic freedom. He met fellow photographer Louis Faurer while working at Harper’s Bazaar in 1947. Both recent transplants to New York, they became close friends and accompanied each other on shoots throughout New York. The two took many photographs at the 11-day celebration of the Feast of San Gennaro in New York’s Little Italy neighborhood, where Frank’s image of a vendor’s extended arm, caught in the arc of the festival lights exemplifies the moments of grace Frank sought amid the bustle and noise of the American city.