Dorothea Lange

Definition

Dorothea Lange was an American documentary photographer and photojournalist who is best known for her work during the Great Depression. Her photographs powerfully captured the human toll of the economic hardships faced by millions of Americans during this period.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Dorothea Lange's photographs were instrumental in raising awareness about the devastating impact of the Great Depression on rural and impoverished communities.
2. Lange's work for the Farm Security Administration (FSA) during the 1930s allowed her to document the struggles of migrant workers, sharecroppers, and the unemployed.
3. The 'Migrant Mother' photograph, taken in 1936, is considered one of the most iconic and enduring images of the Great Depression era.
4. Lange's photographs often focused on the human element of the economic crisis, capturing the dignity and resilience of those suffering from poverty and hardship.
5. Lange's approach to documentary photography influenced the development of the genre and inspired future generations of photojournalists and social activists.

Review Questions

• Explain the significance of Dorothea Lange's work during the Great Depression.
  • Dorothea Lange's photographs during the Great Depression were instrumental in raising awareness about the devastating impact of the economic crisis on rural and impoverished communities. Her work for the Farm Security Administration (FSA) allowed her to document the struggles of migrant workers, sharecroppers, and the unemployed, capturing the human element of the crisis and the dignity and resilience of those suffering from poverty and hardship. Lange's approach to documentary photography influenced the development of the genre and inspired future generations of photojournalists and social activists.
• Describe the importance of Lange's most famous photograph, the 'Migrant Mother,' in the context of the Great Depression.
  • Dorothea Lange's 'Migrant Mother' photograph, taken in 1936, is considered one of the most iconic and enduring images of the Great Depression era. The photograph depicts a destitute woman and her children, capturing the human toll of the economic hardships faced by millions of Americans during this period. The image became a powerful symbol of the struggles and resilience of those affected by the Great Depression, and it helped to raise awareness about the plight of migrant workers and the rural poor. Lange's ability to convey the emotional and human impact of the crisis through her photography was a key factor in the lasting significance of the 'Migrant Mother' image.
• Analyze how Dorothea Lange's documentary photography style contributed to the understanding of the Great Depression.
  • Dorothea Lange's documentary photography style was instrumental in shaping the public's understanding of the Great Depression. By capturing the lived experiences of those affected by the economic crisis, Lange's photographs provided a powerful visual narrative that complemented the statistical data and policy debates surrounding the Depression. Her approach to documentary photography, which aimed to accurately and objectively record social and political issues, allowed her to present the human element of the crisis in a way that resonated with the public. Lange's photographs, such as the iconic 'Migrant Mother,' became powerful tools for social and political change, influencing the development of documentary photography as a genre and inspiring future generations of photojournalists and social activists to use their craft to shed light on pressing societal issues.

Related terms

Farm Security Administration (FSA): A New Deal agency established in 1937 to assist rural farmers and document the effects of the Great Depression through photography.

Migrant Mother: Lange's most famous photograph, depicting a destitute woman and her children, which became an iconic image of the Great Depression.

Documentary Photography: A style of photography that aims to accurately and objectively record social and political issues and events.