Young Man with Puerto Rican Flag — Frank Espada, c. 1970

Frank Espada’s compelling black-and-white photograph portrays a young Puerto Rican man partially framed and obscured by a large Puerto Rican flag. Created around 1970, the close composition transforms the flag into a powerful graphic element while the young man’s face provides an intense human presence.

With its dramatic contrast, documentary immediacy, and strong symbolism, the photograph explores themes of Puerto Rican identity, community, and cultural belonging. The image later appeared as the frontispiece of Espada’s 2006 book The Puerto Rican Diaspora: Themes in the Survival of a People.

Artwork Details

• Artist: Frank Espada (1930–2014)
• Title: Young man with Puerto Rican flag
• Original title: [Young man with Puerto Rican flag] / Espada.
• Series: Not specified in the Library of Congress item record
• Date: Circa 1970
• Period: 20th-century documentary photography
• Place of Origin: Not specified in the Library of Congress item record
• Medium: Gelatin silver photographic print mounted on layered paper board

Framed Print Details

• Fine art printing: Professional 12-color fine art printing technology produces vivid, accurate colors with strong tonal depth and significantly greater nuance than standard 4-color inkjet printing.
• Paper: Smooth premium matte paper with a clean, glare-free finish.
• Paper weight: 200 gsm (80 lb).
• Paper thickness: 0.26 mm (10.3 mils).
• Frame material: Durable pine wood.
• Frame dimensions: Approximately 20 mm (0.79 in) deep and 10–14 mm (0.4–0.6 in) wide.
• Protection: Shatterproof plexiglass protects the print while keeping the framed artwork lightweight.
• Ready to hang: A hanging kit is included, allowing the framed print to be mounted directly on the wall.
• Available sizes: Offered in a range of sizes to suit different spaces.
• Materials: Printed using FSC-certified paper and wood where available.
• Production: Each framed print is produced to order through a trusted international network of professional print studios.
• Shipping: Worldwide shipping is available.
• Made to order: There is no minimum order quantity. Each piece is printed and assembled on demand, reducing unnecessary stock and waste.

Exact frame dimensions, component availability, and production specifications may vary slightly depending on the selected size and destination.