Who painted Ancestral Figure, Gabun, Ogowe River, Bakota?

Ancestral Figure, Gabun, Ogowe River, Bakota was painted by Walker Evans in 1935.

Where can I see Ancestral Figure, Gabun, Ogowe River, Bakota?

Ancestral Figure, Gabun, Ogowe River, Bakota is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

Artwork

Ancestral Figure, Gabun, Ogowe River, Bakota

Walker Evans , 1935

Ancestral Figure, Gabun, Ogowe River, Bakota is a photographic photography by Walker Evans. It dates from 1935 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

This photograph is titled Ancestral Figure, Gabun, Ogowe River, Bakota. It's a work by Walker Evans from around 1935.

The photo was taken as part of a project to record African sculptures for a show at The Museum of Modern Art in New York.

You can learn more about the style and approach of this photo by looking up the technique of chiaroscuro.

Overview

This photograph, titled Ancestral Figure, Gabun, Ogowe River, Bakota, was taken by Walker Evans around 1935. It is one of 477 prints documenting African sculptures for a Museum of Modern Art exhibition.

Technique & Style

Evans employed straightforward lighting and a plain background to create clear records of the sculptures. The resulting images showcase the artworks' forms through subtle gradations of light and shadow, exemplifying the photographic technique of chiaroscuro.

History & Provenance

The photographs were originally intended to tour colleges for black students in the US, but some sets were reserved for museums and universities, including the V&A.

Artist & collection

Artist

Walker Evans

Walker Evans made stark black-and-white photos of carved wooden heads from Benin in 1935.

Museum

Victoria and Albert Museum

Continue through works from the same source collection.