Doorbell

1958

Walker Evans

Associated Names
Walker Evans

Artist, American, 1903 - 1975

This is a photograph of a doorbell labeled "TOP FLAT." The image features a close-up of a classic, circular electric doorbell mounted on a textured wall surface. Above the doorbell is a small metal plaque with the words "TOP FLAT" affixed to the wall with small nails. The central button of the doorbell is prominently marked with the word "PRESS." To the right of the doorbell, there is a vertical segment of a pipe or conduit, wrapped in some places with tape or a similar material. The photograph is in black and white, emphasizing textures and forms.
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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    gelatin silver print

  • Credit Line

    John Wilmerding Fund

  • Dimensions

    sheet: 24 x 22.7 cm (9 7/16 x 8 15/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1989.69.12

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Lunn Limited, New York, NY; purchased with donated funds from John Wilmerding by NGA, 1989.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1991

  • Walker Evans: Subway Portraits and Other Recent Acquisitions, National Gallery of Art, Washington; Addison Gallery of American Art, Andover, 1991-1992.

Bibliography

1958

  • "The London Look." Architectural Forum 108 (April 1958): p. 115.

1991

  • Greenough 1991, pl. 60.

Inscriptions

all inscriptions on mount, lower right below photograph in graphite: Walker Evans; center verso: Evans estate stamp with inventory number XXV-1 added in graphite; center verso stamped: RIGHTS RESERVED / WALKER EVANS / BOX 310 RTE. 3 / OLD LYME. CONN. 06371; by later hand s, lower left verso in graphite: #1052 / 86 A Doorbell in London (n.d.); by later hand, lower center verso in graphite: Box 29; by later hand, lower right verso in graphite: Clive Grey CG; by later hand, upper left verso in graphite: V / 1970

Wikidata ID

Q64171792

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