Subway Portrait 1938

"Subway Portrait" (1938) is a black and white photograph by Walker Evans, a prominent figure in American documentary photography. The image captures two anonymous figures, a woman and a man, riding the subway in New York City. The woman's expression is somber, while the man, reading a newspaper with a sensational headline, appears oblivious to his surroundings. This stark and intimate scene, typical of Evans' work, showcases the human condition in urban environments. The photo's realism and social commentary are hallmarks of the documentary photography movement of the 20th century.