Walker Evans: Decade by Decade by Cincinnati Art Museum (Editor) (31-May-2012) Hardcover

by Walker Evans

Excellent Book

Genres: Photography, Nonfiction, Art, Art and Photography

Hardcover

First published April 30, 2010

About the author

Walker Evans (November 3, 1903 – April 10, 1975) was an American photographer best known for his work for the Farm Security Administration (FSA) documenting the effects of the Great Depression. Much of Evans's work from the FSA period uses the large-format, 8x10-inch camera. He said that his goal as a photographer was to make pictures that are "literate, authoritative, transcendent".

Many of his works are in the permanent collections of museums and have been the subject of retrospectives at such institutions as The Metropolitan Museum of Art or George Eastman House.

In 2000, Evans was inducted into the St. Louis Walk of Fame

Reviews

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of photographs throughout Evans’ entire career that presents a far wider variety of images than I am used to seeing with his 1930s work. A wider variety of architecture and interiors, as well as portraits of well-known figures such as Tennessee Williams, Carl Van Vechten (a great portrait photographer in his own right), Robert Frank, and Hart Crane. We also get to see his photography of tribal art and street scenes all the way up to the 1970s. A solid collection for anyone wishes to get the entire scope of Evans’ career, although I would suggest beginning with his most famous Depression-era photos first.

[Bruce Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

After viewing so much color photography by William Eggleston, the B&W images by Evans just didn't seem as fulfilling. However, the lighting, shadows and compositions were outstanding for the subjects ranging from buildings and structures as well as portraits. Great photos of French Quarter residents are included along with era-capturing photographs of industry and retail settings. The essay focused a little too much on MOMA's John Szarkowski's preference for the depression era photographs.

[Brendan Mansfield · Rating 3 out of 5]

pictures were nice, the writing was so-so in my opinion.

I like his later work better.

[Matthew Hundley · Rating 4 out of 5]

When most people think of photographer Walker Evans you picture depression era photos and images from the dust bowl and wood barns and houses and things. What I liked about this collection of photos was that they present another side of Evans. This side is inconsistent for sure. Not the classic quality or aesthetic that the art world often portrayed. But it's of interest to see the other varied aspects of his photographic life which included candid photos of friends, photography for hire and for Fortune magazine, Polaroids, street photography, along with images from trips abroad and even a series on African art. The essay "J.S. + W.E. - Retrieval" gives a fascinating insight into: the relationship between Walker Evans and John Szarkowski (photographer and later curator for MOMA); the rise of acceptance of photography as "art"; and the limited canvas the art world sought to present from Evans - versus the breadth of work he actually compiled over the course of his life. Often pigeon-holed as the photographer who captured 1930's America; this book gives us a bit of ammunition to know that Evans was so much more.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this man's work. I do like more caption in my art books. I know that the pictures would not have that with them if shown in a gallery. It's a book, though. For those who don't want it, they can skip the text. To me the purpose of putting the art in a book is 1) make it available to a wider audience but also 2) to provide more information. What was evans doing at the time he took this picture? How was he making enough money to eat? Who was he spending time with, socially? Just a sentence or two would make this kind of boook a lot more enjoyable.

[Tosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is something so satisfying at looking at an artist's entire career in a book - and this one is a superb beauty. With Walker Evans, of course there are a lot of landscape images, but what impresses me the most are the portraits of various writers and fellow photographers. And the women in the book are beautiful. He really captures not the sexy, but more of the sensual aspect of their personalities.

[David Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

Walker Evans: Decade by Decade by James Crump (Hartje Cantz Verlag Ostfildern 2010)(779.0). Walker Evans was a legendary photographer of poverty in the Depression era; this book collects his 1930's-1970's landscapes and portraits. The subject was cited by Shelby Lee Adams as a major influence, and that's all the endorsement I need hear. .My rating: 7/10, finished 8/29/11.