Subway Portrait 1938 - 1941

Walker Evans made this photograph, “Subway Portrait,” using a 35mm Contax camera hidden in his coat. This candid approach was facilitated by the small scale and portability of the camera itself, a product of industrial manufacturing. The resulting black and white image, printed on photographic paper, captures two women riding the New York City subway. Evans's hidden camera allowed him to capture unposed, unguarded moments. Notice the textures of their clothing, a woolen coat and a dark jacket adorned with a fabric flower. These details speak volumes about their social status and the era in which they lived, calling attention to the everyday materials that clothe and define our lives. By using photography, a medium often associated with documentation rather than fine art, Evans blurred the lines between the two. "Subway Portrait" highlights the beauty and significance found in ordinary materials and the subtle labor involved in crafting one's appearance.