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Head of a Youth, Benin, by Walker Evans, photographic, 1935

Head of a Youth, Benin

Walker Evans

1935

photographic

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

Early Modern

Dominant colour

Head of a Youth, Benin is a 1935 photographic by Walker Evans, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.

Who painted this?
Walker Evans
When & what style?
1935
Where can I see it?
Victoria and Albert Museum

About this work

This is a black-and-white photo of a sculpted face. The head is round, with a smooth, dark surface and a wide mouth showing even teeth. A textured crown sits on top, and a thick, braided collar wraps around the neck. The eyes are large and still, staring straight ahead. This photo was taken in 1935 as part of an exhibition of African art. The sculpture itself is made of bronze and comes from Benin, now part of Nigeria. Look up Walker Evans to see more of his work.

The story of this work

Overview

A photograph by Walker Evans from 1935 depicts a bronze sculpture of a youth's head, part of an exhibition of African art. The image captures the cast metal work, reflecting the artistic traditions associated with Benin.

Read the full account in the museum source.

About the artist

Artist

Walker Evans

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

See the richer artist page

Same subject

Man's Head, Benin
Man's Head, Benin Walker Evans
Head of a Woman, Benin
Head of a Woman, Benin Walker Evans
Snake's Head. Benin.
Snake's Head. Benin. Walker Evans

Visually similar

Figure of a woman. Senufo, Ivory Coast, border of Sudan.
Figure of a woman. Senufo, Ivory Coast, border of Sudan. Walker Evans
Ancestral figure
Ancestral figure Walker Evans
Cambodian sandstone sculpture of head of Deva, 10th century, V&A Museum, London
Cambodian sandstone sculpture of head of Deva, 10th century, V&A Museum, London Unknown
Ancestral Figure, Gabun, Ogowe River, Bakota
Ancestral Figure, Gabun, Ogowe River, Bakota Walker Evans
Cambodian bronze sculpture of Buddha head, ca. 13th century A.D., V&A Museum
Cambodian bronze sculpture of Buddha head, ca. 13th century A.D., V&A Museum Unknown
Siamese bronze sculpture of Buddha, 14th or 15th century, V&A Museum
Siamese bronze sculpture of Buddha, 14th or 15th century, V&A Museum Unknown
Carved wood sculpture, Goddess, Javanese (?)
Carved wood sculpture, Goddess, Javanese (?) Unknown
Sculpture, head of Asura, Ankor region, 12th - 13th century, H.G. Quaritch Wales collection
Sculpture, head of Asura, Ankor region, 12th - 13th century, H.G. Quaritch Wales collection Unknown
Cambodian bronze sculpture of head of Bodhisattva, 11th century A.D., V&A Museum, London
Cambodian bronze sculpture of head of Bodhisattva, 11th century A.D., V&A Museum, London Unknown

More by Walker Evans

Man's Head, Benin

Man's Head, Benin

Walker Evans
Bird. Benin.

Bird. Benin.

Walker Evans
Head of a Woman, Benin

Head of a Woman, Benin

Walker Evans
Ancestral figure

Ancestral figure

Walker Evans
Figure of a woman. Senufo, Ivory Coast, border of Sudan.

Figure of a woman. Senufo, Ivory Coast, border of Sudan.

Walker Evans
Ancestral Figure, Gabun, Ogowe River, Bakota

Ancestral Figure, Gabun, Ogowe River, Bakota

Walker Evans
Figure with arms raised. WaRegga.

Figure with arms raised. WaRegga.

Walker Evans
Rooster. Benin.

Rooster. Benin.

Walker Evans
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