The artwork, titled “Tennessee,” was created by Dorothea Lange in 1938. It is a notable example of the Social Realism art movement and belongs to the photo genre.
In the artwork, a young girl is seated on a wooden porch, which is adorned with climbing vines that frame the scene. She gazes directly at the camera, holding a small object in her hands. The image captures the simplicity of rural life, with the wooden textures of the house and the natural growth of the plants providing a stark contrast to the girl’s contemplative expression. The light and shadows interplay to highlight the girl’s presence against the backdrop of the house, invoking a sense of quiet resilience and introspection. The photograph effectively embodies the essence of Social Realism by portraying the lived experiences and environments of ordinary people with dignity and clarity.
