Walker Evans: Starting from Scratch

Walker Evans (1903–75) was an American photographer known for his work for the Farm Security Administration, addressing the Great Depression. Art historian Svetlana Alpers explores how Evans made his distinctive photographs, revealing rich parallels between his creative approach and those of literary and cultural figures. Evans's practice relied on his camera choices, willingness to edit multiple versions of a shot, keen eye, and distant straight-on view of visual objects. Alpers places his writings in conversation with his photographs, underscoring how Evans's travels abroad and expansive literary and artistic tastes informed his quintessentially American photographic style.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 416 pages
Publication date: 07 November 2023
Publisher: Princeton University Press

Walker Evans (1903-75) was a renowned American artist who captured the essence of people and places in the United States through his unforgettable photographs. While he is best known for his work with the Farm Security Administration during the Great Depression, his lens revealed a deeper understanding of the diverse human experience and the lasting impact of the Civil War. In her comprehensive study, art historian Svetlana Alpers delves into the artistic techniques employed by Evans. Through a lavish selection of his work, Alpers uncovers striking parallels between Evans's creative approach and those of numerous literary and cultural figures. She places Evans within the broader context of an international artistic community, highlighting his connections with writers and artists from France, Cuba, and beyond.

Alpers demonstrates that Evans's photographic practice was shaped by his meticulous camera choices, his willingness to edit multiple versions of a shot, and his keen eye for detail. His distinct straight-on view of visual objects contributed to his unique perspective. By placing Evans's writings in conversation with his photographs, Alpers highlights the symbiotic relationship between text and image in his work. She explores how Evans's travels abroad, as well as his expansive literary and artistic tastes, informed his distinctively American photographic style.

A magisterial account of a great twentieth-century artist, Walker Evans invites us to reexamine our perception of the world. It prompts us to reconsider how Evans saw his subjects, how he saw his photographs, and how we can approach his images with fresh eyes. Through his lens, Evans revealed the beauty and complexity of the American landscape, as well as the human stories that unfolded within it. His photographs continue to inspire and resonate with audiences worldwide, reminding us of the power of visual storytelling and the enduring significance of a well-observed moment.

Dimension: 203 x 133 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691222615