FAQ About Dorothea Lange

Dorothea Lange was an influential American documentary photographer known for her impactful work during the Great Depression. Her photographs humanized the struggles of the era and brought attention to the plight of displaced farmers and the impoverished. She is most renowned for her iconic image, "Migrant Mother," which became a symbol of that period.

Dorothea Lange is best known for her Depression-era photography that highlighted the conditions of American workers and families during the 1930s. Her most famous photograph, "Migrant Mother," depicts a worried mother with her children and has since become a representation of resilience and despair during the Great Depression.

Dorothea Lange's most famous photograph is "Migrant Mother," taken in 1936. It portrays Florence Owens Thompson with her children and captures the desperation and uncertainty faced by many during the Great Depression. This image is considered one of Lange's masterpieces and is widely recognized as one of the most significant photographs of the 20th century.

Dorothea Lange's work during the Great Depression played a critical role in raising public awareness of the challenges faced by displaced farmers and impoverished families. Her poignant images, commissioned by the Farm Security Administration (FSA), helped to bring attention to the living conditions of the rural poor and influenced public policy and relief efforts.

Dorothea Lange became interested in photography while studying at Columbia University, where she received her training. Eventually, she opened a portrait studio in San Francisco. Her career took a significant turn during the Great Depression when she began photographing the ubiquitous suffering on the city streets, leading to her work with the Farm Security Administration.

Dorothea Lange was born on May 26, 1895, in Hoboken, New Jersey, United States. She grew up on the East Coast and later moved to San Francisco where she established her photography career.

While Dorothea Lange is best known for her Depression-era portraits, her career spanned a range of subjects. She documented various social issues, including Japanese American internment during World War II, as well as rural poverty and post-war economic conditions. Her work extended beyond just the 1930s and continues to be a significant part of American photographic history.

The photograph "Migrant Mother" is significant because it captured the face of the Great Depression, giving a personal and human aspect to economic statistics. The image stirred public sympathy and helped to promote government relief programs. It remains an enduring icon of the era and exemplifies the power of documentary photography in driving social change.

Dorothea Lange's early life was marked by personal challenges, including contracting polio at age seven, which left her with a permanent limp. This adversity may have fostered a sense of empathy and determination that influenced her ability to connect with and document the lives of struggling individuals, capturing their dignity amidst hardship.

Dorothea Lange's photography was influenced by several factors, including her education at Columbia University under Clarence White, a prominent photographer. Additionally, her association with photographer Ansel Adams and her work with the Farm Security Administration shaped her documentary style, emphasizing authenticity and human emotion.