Subway Portrait by Walker Evans

Subway Portrait 1938 - 1941

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photography, gelatin-silver-print

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black and white format

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photography

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historical photography

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black and white

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gelatin-silver-print

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monochrome photography

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ashcan-school

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modernism

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realism

Dimensions: sheet (trimmed to image): 14.9 x 11.4 cm (5 7/8 x 4 1/2 in.) mount: 28.1 x 21.5 cm (11 1/16 x 8 7/16 in.)

Copyright: National Gallery of Art: CC0 1.0

This is Walker Evans's "Subway Portrait," made using photographic processes. Though seemingly straightforward, the gelatin silver print reveals much about the artist's engagement with capturing everyday life. Evans secretly photographed passengers on the New York City subway, using a hidden camera to capture unguarded moments. The choice of gelatin silver is important; it was a standard medium, widely used for its clarity and tonal range. This allowed Evans to produce sharp, detailed images that feel almost documentary in their realism. The act of photographing unsuspecting subjects raises questions about privacy and representation. The commuters, caught in their private thoughts during their daily commute, are presented as archetypes of urban life, their social status subtly indicated through their clothing. Evans's work blurs the line between objective documentation and artistic interpretation, inviting us to consider the complex relationship between the photographer, the subject, and the viewer. It’s a reminder that even the most seemingly straightforward materials and processes can carry deep social and cultural significance.

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