The artwork, titled “Archie Love, Mill Worker, 14 Years Old, Chester, South Carolina, 1908”, was created by the artist Lewis Hine in the year 1908. Falling under the Social Realism art movement, this photograph is part of the “National Child Labor Committee photographs” series.
In the artwork, a young boy stands outdoors, with trees and homes visible in the blurred background. The subject, Archie Love, a 14-year-old mill worker, is shown wearing work clothes typical of the early 20th century, including a hat and suspenders. He appears with a serious and somewhat weary expression, reflecting the harsh realities of child labor during that era. The sepia tone of the photograph imparts a somber and historic quality, emphasizing the socio-economic conditions faced by working children at the time. The photograph captures a moment of stark realism, shedding light on the lives of young laborers, aligning with the themes of the Social Realism movement, and documenting a critical aspect of American history.
