Let Us Now Praise Famous Men
Several tons of dynamite are set off in this picture – none of it under the right people. James Agee
When I first saw Anna‘s new shack, erm, acquisition, my first thought was, “Oh, it’s the Let Us Now Praise Famous Men house.” Ah, the books from college that stick with you–and the pictures that sear into your brain.
Let Us Now Praise Famous Men is the work of two artists, writer James Agee and photographer Walker Evans, commissioned in the mid-1930s by the Farm Service Administration (that’s right, USDA-approved art, baby) to document the working conditions of sharecroppers during the Dustbowl.
What they captured is the faces and spaces and souls of the human condition under extreme poverty.
Coldwater Creek lace blouse with sewn-in modesty under-layer ruthlessly cut out by yours truly ($3.75, thrift store). Windsor Sport burnt orange vintage velvet skirt ($3.75, thrift store). Jeffrey Campbell pumps ($60, 1/2 off MSRP at Piece Unique & Shoez).
Made you look (away) (also, back…in time). Armor Bijoux tooth necklace (borrowed from Bethany).
Ah, perspective. Brought to you by the American experience.
Color photos by Bethany Walter. Black and white photos by Walker Evans. Thank you both.
