Frederick Mcnamara Evans Paintings

Frederick H. Evans, born Frederick Mcnamara Evans, was a British photographer known for his images of medieval cathedrals, such as the iconic 'Sea of Steps' photograph taken at Wells Cathedral. Born on June 26, 1859, in London, England, Evans began his career as a bookseller, but his interest in photography grew as he sought to document his travels and the architectural wonders he admired.

Evans became an accomplished photographer in the pictorialist style, which emphasized beauty of subject matter, tonality, and composition rather than documenting reality. His pictures were characterized by their high quality and his insistence on using only natural light. He was meticulous in his work, often waiting for the perfect lighting conditions to capture the spiritual and emotional essence he felt in the cathedrals and their spaces.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Evans became a leading figure in the photographic community. He was a member of the Linked Ring Brotherhood, an organization that sought to advance photography as a fine art. His work was widely exhibited and published, and he contributed to the development of the pure photography movement, which emphasized sharp focus and the use of the full tonal range of a photograph.

Despite his success as a photographer, Evans never considered it his profession. He remained a bookseller throughout his life and only sold his photographs to a select clientele. He retired from photography in the 1930s, and his work was later largely forgotten until it was rediscovered and celebrated by photographers and historians in the later 20th century.

Frederick H. Evans died on June 24, 1943, leaving behind a legacy of some of the most beautiful and technically accomplished photographs of architecture and landscapes of his time. His attention to detail and his ability to capture the 'spirit' of the spaces he photographed has made his work enduringly popular and influential to this day.