Created by Dorothea Lange in 1936, the artwork titled “Ditched, Stalled, and Stranded, San Joaquin Valley, California” belongs to the Social Realism art movement and represents the genre of photography.
The artwork captures a poignant moment featuring two individuals seated inside a car. The expressions on their faces convey a sense of hardship and endurance, reflective of the era’s socio-economic challenges. The male figure, holding the steering wheel, gazes directly at the camera, while the female figure looks on solemnly. The stark composition and raw details of the interior suggest the dire circumstances and the stark reality faced by many during that period. Lange’s work, as exemplified in this photograph, brings forth a deep humanistic approach, shedding light on the struggles and perseverance of ordinary people.
