Subway Portrait 1938 - 1941

"Subway Portrait" is a striking black and white photograph by Walker Evans, taken between 1938 and 1941. It captures a man in a fedora, glasses, and a high-collared coat, seemingly lost in thought on a New York City subway. The candid shot is characteristic of Evans's work, which focused on documenting the everyday lives of ordinary Americans during the Great Depression. The image is renowned for its stark realism, conveying a sense of anonymity and the quiet dignity of the working class. The photograph serves as a poignant reminder of the social and economic realities of the time, making it a significant piece of American documentary photography.