[Signs, New York City]

Walker Evans

1928–29 · Gelatin silver print · Photographs

The electric signs in the photograph alternately flashed the company's name and the names of its two principal products. As there were approximately one hundred million wheels rolling over America's road in 1928, the sale of tires quickly overtook that of rubber galoshes. The image expresses Evans's conviction that modern art could be timeless yet topical when perfectly wrought of vernacular materials.

Artist

Walker Evans

Date

1928–29

Medium

Gelatin silver print

Department

Photographs

Credit line

Ford Motor Company Collection, Gift of Ford Motor Company and John C. Waddell, 1987