The artwork titled “Glassmaking”, captured by Lewis Hine in 1908, is a notable piece within the Social Realism movement. This photo exemplifies Hine’s commitment to documenting social issues and labor conditions. As a genre of photography, it presents a stark, realistic view of industrial labor during the early 20th century.
The photograph features several workers engaged in the glassmaking process inside an industrial setting. The men, clad in simple work attire, operate heavy machinery, with numerous pipes and equipment visible. The background includes large brick structures, possibly furnaces, underscoring the intense heat and laborious conditions typical of glassmaking factories. The illumination in the scene, casting shadows and highlighting details, further emphasizes the physicality and environment of the workers’ daily lives. Overall, the artwork poignantly captures the arduous labor and industrial atmosphere of the era.
