ART AFICIONADO: Walker Evans

Monday, November 3, 2025

Walker Evans

Photography Appreciation

Walker Evans, born on November 3, 1903, in St. Louis, Missouri, was an influential American photographer and photojournalist. Raised in a middle-class family, Evans developed an early interest in literature, initially aspiring to be a writer. He studied at Williams College but left before completing his degree, eventually moving to New York City, where he became immersed in the burgeoning art and literary scene. His exposure to modernist art and photography during this time deeply influenced his future career path. After briefly studying in Paris, Evans returned to the United States with a growing passion for photography, setting the stage for his remarkable contributions to the medium.

Evans' work is best known for its stark, unembellished realism. He often captured the everyday life of Americans during the Great Depression, using a documentary style that emphasized clarity and authenticity. His images were typically straightforward, avoiding overly artistic flourishes in favor of raw, honest representation. Evans preferred shooting with large-format cameras, which allowed him to capture sharp detail in his photographs. His work for the Farm Security Administration (FSA) in the 1930s, documenting the impact of the Great Depression on rural Americans, remains his most celebrated contribution to photojournalism. His style was defined by its objectivity and his ability to find beauty and meaning in the ordinary, often focusing on architecture, signage, and people.

One of Evans' most iconic photographs is Allie Mae Burroughs, taken in 1936. The portrait, part of his FSA work, depicts the wife of a sharecropper in Hale County, Alabama, during the height of the Depression. Burroughs' face, worn by hardship and uncertainty, encapsulates the struggle of many Americans during this era. The image’s stark realism, devoid of any attempt to romanticize or manipulate the subject, became emblematic of Evans’ style. Through her gaze, Evans conveyed the broader emotional weight of the economic devastation sweeping the country, making this photograph a timeless symbol of human resilience.

Another notable photograph by Evans is Negro Barber Shop Interior, Atlanta, captured in 1936. This image showcases Evans’ interest in everyday spaces and objects. The barber shop, though modest, is filled with rich details like mirrors, chairs, and everyday tools, offering a glimpse into the ordinary lives of Black Americans. The photograph’s composition is both intimate and informative, allowing the viewer to observe a scene that feels untouched by time. Evans’ ability to document the essence of Black American life through such simple, seemingly unremarkable settings cemented his place as a master of documentary photography.

Evans’ body of work remains a significant influence in photography, especially for his commitment to portraying life as it is, without embellishment or distraction. His ability to make the ordinary extraordinary continues to inspire generations of photographers and artists.