The name "Walker Evans" is spelled phonetically as /ˈwɔːkər ˈɛvənz/. The first syllable, "walk," is pronounced with the vowel sound /ɔː/, as in "saw" or "law." The second syllable, "er," is pronounced with the schwa sound /ə/, as in "sofa" or "banana." The last name, "Evans," is pronounced with a short "e" sound /ɛ/, as in "fret" or "met." Overall, the phonetic spelling of "Walker Evans" is a helpful tool for proper pronunciation.
Walker Evans (1903-1975) was an influential American photographer known for his documentary-style images that captured the essence of American life during the first half of the 20th century. He is considered one of the most important figures in the history of photography.
Walker Evans was born on November 3, 1903, in St. Louis, Missouri. He studied literature and art history at Williams College in Massachusetts. Evans initially worked as a writer, but his passion for photography led him to pursue a career as a photographer.
Evans gained prominence in the 1930s when he began working for the Farm Security Administration (FSA), a government agency that aimed to combat rural poverty during the Great Depression. His photographs, taken during this time, documented the struggles and resilience of American farmers and workers, exposing the harsh conditions they faced.
Evans had a distinct style characterized by his objective approach and attention to detail. His images often emphasized the mundane and ordinary aspects of everyday life, capturing the faces of unknown individuals, the decaying urban landscapes, and the humble objects of American society.
His work transcended the realm of documentary photography, influencing generations of photographers and artists, and helping establish photography as a legitimate form of artistic expression. Evans's commitment to capturing the truth of American life and his ability to find beauty in the simplest of subjects solidified his position as a pioneer and master of American photography.
The word "Walker Evans" is not derived from any specific etymology as it is a combination of a first name ("Walker") and a last name ("Evans"). "Walker" is an English surname turned given name, which means "a fuller of cloth" or "an officer selected to inspect weights and measures". "Evans" is a surname of Welsh origin, derived from the given name "Iefan" which is a form of "John" in English.