W.’s work is defined by its 19th century sensibility — an enduring influence on generations that followed. Most artists are dead; following is a declaration of love.

George Cruikshank
W. Walker & Sons English, active 1860s

Coffee or Tea Service
Webster Manufacturing Company (American, 1866–74) Brooklyn, New York

Lighthouse Clock
Simon Willard and Sons American, 1753–1848 Roxbury, Massachusetts

Westward Ho!/Pioneer Covered Butter Dish
Gillinder and Sons, 1861–c. 1930 Philadelphia or Greenbsburg, Pennsylvania

Father and Son with Eggs, Cuzco
Irving Penn American, 1917–2009

This Person
Geng Jianyi Chinese, born 1962

Pioneer Covered Compote
Gillinder and Sons, 1861–c. 1930 Philadelphia or Greenbsburg, Pennsylvania

God Shiva and Goddess Uma Seated with their Son, Skanda (Somaskanda)
India Tamil Nadu

Chelsea Bows (Furnishing Fabric)
Produced by Warner Fabrics, plc England, London

Alabama Cotton Tenant Farmer's Wife
Walker Evans American, 1903–1975

Tight-Rope Walker
Jean Louis Forain (French, 1852–1931)

Westward Ho!/Pioneer Covered Compote on Pedestal
Gillinder and Sons, 1861–c. 1930 Philadelphia or Greenbsburg, Pennsylvania

Westward Ho!/Pioneer Pitcher
Gillinder and Sons, 1861–c. 1930 Philadelphia or Greenbsburg, Pennsylvania

Handkerchief
Engraved by Rymer and Son (English, active c. 1812) England, London

Keys to the Coop
Kara Walker American, born 1969

Penny Picture Display, Savannah
Walker Evans American, 1903–1975

Westward Ho!/Pioneer Covered Compote on Pedestal
Gillinder and Sons, 1861–c. 1930 Philadelphia or Greenbsburg, Pennsylvania

Negro Barber Shop Interior, Atlanta
Walker Evans American, 1903–1975

Westward Ho!/Pioneer Covered Compote
Gillinder and Sons, 1861–c. 1930 Philadelphia or Greenbsburg, Pennsylvania

Rene Magritte with his Picture "The Son of Man," Brussels
Bill Brandt English, 1904–1983