Edgar de Evia


Edgar Domingo Evia y Joutard, known professionally as Edgar de Evia, was a Mexican-born American interiors photographer.
In a career that spanned the 1940s through the 1990s, his photography appeared in magazines and newspapers such as ' House & Garden, Look and The New York Times Magazine and advertising campaigns for Borden Ice Cream and Jell-O.

Careers

Homeopathy research

In 1942, homeopathic physician Guy Beckley Stearns and Edgar D. Evia contributed an essay called "The New Synthesis", For the Laurie's Domestic Medicine medical guide.

Photography

In a review of the book, The New York Times stated that "Black and white is frequently interspersed through the book and serves as a reminder that black and white still has a useful place, even in a world of color, often more convincingly as well. This is pointed up rather persuasively in the portfolio on Edgar de Evia as a 'master of still life' and in the one devoted to the work of Réne Groebli." "Editorial high-key food photography was introduced by Edgar D'Evia in 1953 for the pages of Good Housekeeping."
Melvin Sokolsky, a fashion photographer who has created images for Harpers Bazaar and Vogue, considered Edgar de Evia one of his earliest influences, saying, "I discovered that Edgar was paid $4,000 for a Jell-O ad, and the idea of escaping from my tenement dwelling became an incredible dream and inspiration."

Personalities photographed

De Evia also produced commissioned photographic portraits of individuals, including Polish-American violinist Roman Totenberg and the American fashion designer Ralph Lauren.

Editorial photography

De Evia's work appeared on Applied Photography, Architectural Digest, Good Housekeeping, Shaggy Lamb Fashion, and New York Magazine.

Books

Books that have been illustrated with de Evia's photography include:
De Evia worked for Borden Ice Cream, Celanese Corporation, Gorham Silver, hats by Mr. John of John-Frederics, Leather Industries of America, Maximilian Furs, McCall's patterns,.

Gallery

Relationships

In the 1950s, de Evia's companion and business partner was Robert Denning, who worked in his studio and who would become a leading American interior designer and partner in the firm Denning & Fourcade.