The artwork titled “Cigarmakers, Tampa, Florida, 1909” was created by Lewis Hine in 1909. It belongs to the art movement known as Social Realism and the genre of photography. This piece is part of the “National Child Labor Committee photographs” series.
The artwork presents a poignant and unfiltered look into the lives of child laborers in the early 20th century. It features three young boys, visibly tired and worn, engaged in the task of making cigars. Their expressions reflect the harsh realities of child labor, a central theme in Hine’s work. Each boy is dressed in the modest attire typical of working-class children of that era. The setting, likely a dimly lit workshop, adds to the somber mood, emphasizing the grim and arduous conditions these children endured. Through this powerful composition, Hine not only documents but also critiques the prevailing social injustices, making a compelling argument for labor reforms.
