The artwork entitled “Glass Works, Midnight, Indiana, 1908” by the artist Lewis Hine, created in 1908, is a significant piece of photography belonging to the Social Realism art movement. This photograph, a part of the “National Child Labor Committee photographs” series, poignantly captures the harsh realities faced by child laborers during the early 20th century.
In the artwork, young boys are depicted laboring in a glass factory, surrounded by industrial equipment and dim lighting. The expressions on their faces and their worn clothing speak to the arduous and exhausting conditions they endured. Hine’s use of photography as a medium powerfully conveys the urgency and gravity of social issues, particularly child labor, during this era. The composition and lighting draw the viewer’s focus to the individuals, emphasizing their humanity amidst the industrial environment. This artwork serves as both a historical document and a compelling call for social reform.
