Maine Pump, 1933 Possibly 1933 - 1974

Walker Evans's "Maine Pump" (c. 1933-1974) is a stark black and white photograph of a wooden pump in front of a simple, white building. The photograph is characteristic of Evans's documentation of rural American life and his interest in the everyday, vernacular architecture of the time. This photograph is considered to be a part of the New Deal era of photography and reflects the period's social realism. The pump, with its ornate details, is a stark contrast to the plainness of the surrounding building. This juxtaposition is a hallmark of Evans's work, which often focused on the tension between the beauty and poverty of rural life. The image's simplicity and directness are also notable, which helps create an intriguing and evocative image.