Subway Portrait 1938 - 1941

"Subway Portrait" is a black and white photograph by Walker Evans, taken between 1938 and 1941. The image captures a man seated on a subway, reading a newspaper, with his face partially obscured by the paper. Evans's work is known for its focus on everyday life and social realism, often documenting the lives of working-class Americans during the Great Depression. This intimate snapshot, taken in a public space, offers a glimpse into the everyday routines and anxieties of a typical New Yorker. The photograph's sharp detail and candid composition highlight the gritty realism of Evans's approach.