The artwork entitled “Poor Mother and Children During the Great Depression. Elm Grove, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma, USA” was created by Dorothea Lange in 1936. This powerful photograph belongs to the Social Realism art movement and captures a poignant moment from the Great Depression, a period marked by widespread economic hardship in the United States. As a genre, this photograph aligns with documentary photojournalism, aiming to depict the raw and unvarnished realities faced by many Americans during that era.
In the artwork, a mother stands with her two children in front of a makeshift dwelling, embodying the plight and resilience of countless families during the Great Depression. The mother, appearing tired but resolute, stands with her hand resting thoughtfully on her head. Her two children, barefoot and dressed in worn-out clothes, face the camera with expressions of somber innocence. The background reveals the rough and challenging living conditions they endure, including a rudimentary shelter constructed from various materials and laundry drying outdoors. The scene evokes a deep sense of empathy and historical awareness, illustrating the harsh impact of poverty and economic struggle on ordinary lives.
