“A Very Blue Eagle. Along California Highway (November 1936). From the Series Day Sleeper” is a 1936 photograph by Dorothea Lange, a prominent figure in the Social Realism art movement. The artwork captures a moment along a stretch of the California highway, contributing to the genre of photography that addresses social issues and realities.
In the artwork, a large bird, presumably an eagle, is depicted ensnared in a barbed wire fence. The bird’s wings are spread wide, emphasizing its futile struggle for freedom amidst the desolate landscape. The barren, bleak background enhances the stark and somber mood of the scene, characteristic of Lange’s ability to evoke powerful emotions through her photographic work. The photograph offers a poignant commentary on the harsh realities faced by both nature and humanity, aligning with the themes central to Social Realism.
