“Migrant Mother” by Dorothea Lange in 1936

"Migrant Mother" is an iconic photograph taken by Dorothea Lange in 1936 during the Great Depression.
The image depicts Florence Owens Thompson, a 32-year-old mother of seven, and has become a symbol of the hardships faced during this era.
This presentation will analyze the photograph's reflection of and influence on American society through historical and artistic lenses.

1. “Migrant Mother” by Dorothea Lange

2. Introduction "Migrant Mother" is an iconic photograph taken by Dorothea Lange in 1936 during the Great Depression. The image depicts Florence Owens Thompson, a 32-year-old mother of seven, and has become a symbol of the hardships faced during this era. This presentation will analyze the photograph's reflection of and influence on American society through historical and artistic lenses.

3. Historical Context The Great Depression, lasting from 1929 to 1939, was the worst economic downturn in the history of the industrialized world. Millions of Americans were unemployed, and many farmers were forced to leave their land due to the concurrent Dust Bowl crisis. The Farm Security Administration (FSA) hired photographers like Dorothea Lange to document the plight of rural Americans.

4. Dorothea Lange and the FSA Dorothea Lange (1895-1965) was an American documentary photographer and photojournalist. She worked for the Farm Security Administration, capturing images of the Great Depression's impact on America's rural poor. Lange's approach to photography emphasized empathy and human dignity, aiming to inspire social change through her work.

5. The Photograph - Description and Composition The black-and-white photograph shows a worried mother with a weathered face, her children huddled around her. The mother's gaze is distant, conveying a sense of anxiety and uncertainty about the future. The composition draws the viewer's eye to the mother's face, emphasizing her role as the family's pillar of strength.

6. Historical Analysis - Reflection of Society "Migrant Mother" captured the reality of poverty and displacement faced by many Americans during the Great Depression. The image reflected the changing role of women, who often became the family's main support in times of crisis. It highlighted the plight of migrant workers, a group often overlooked in discussions of the era's economic struggles.

7. Historical Analysis - Influence on Policy The publication of "Migrant Mother" in newspapers helped galvanize public support for government aid programs. It contributed to the continuation and expansion of New Deal policies aimed at alleviating rural poverty. The photograph became a symbol of the effectiveness of the FSA's documentary project, justifying its continued funding.

8. Fine Arts Analysis - Photographic Techniques Lange used a shallow depth of field to focus attention on the mother's face, blurring the background. The high contrast between light and shadow adds drama and emphasizes the harshness of the subjects' circumstances. The tight framing creates an intimate, immediate connection between the viewer and the subjects.

9. Fine Arts Analysis - Symbolism and Emotion The mother's furrowed brow and distant gaze symbolize the worry and uncertainty faced by millions during the Great Depression. The children hiding their faces represent the vulnerability of the youngest victims of economic hardship. The mother's hand touching her face creates a visual link between thought and action, suggesting resilience in the face of adversity.

10. Long-term Influence and Contemporary Relevance "Migrant Mother" has become an enduring symbol of the Great Depression in American cultural memory. The image continues to be referenced in discussions about economic inequality and social justice. It has inspired numerous artists and continues to influence the field of documentary photography and photojournalism.

11. Conclusion "Migrant Mother" both reflected the harsh realities of the Great Depression and influenced public perception and policy responses. The photograph's artistic merit and emotional resonance have ensured its place as an iconic image in American history. Its continued relevance demonstrates the power of documentary photography to transcend time and speak to universal human experiences.