Walker Evans

Walker Evans created one of the profoundly iconic images of the American Great Depression with this striking portrait of rural poverty.  Photographing extensively in the South, Evans strove to capture a uniquely objective perspective for the Farm Security Administration.  He rejected the Administration’s directive to emphasize the optimism of struggling individuals, and instead remained true to his beliefs that documentary photography should present an unbiased and dispassionate view to the world.  Alabama Tenant Farmer Wife exemplifies his attitude. The subject’s worry and pain are tangible and the viewer cannot help but empathize with her.