Dorothea Lange - Migrant Mother: Photo Icons Explained

There are rare moments when a single photograph captures the essence of a time and place with such conviction and clarity, that it takes on a life of its own and becomes an immortal symbol of an era.
Dorothea Lange’s portrait of Florence Owens Thompson and her children, which became known as ‘Migrant Mother’, is such a photograph. The intimate portrait of a woman with a weathered face, who Lange described as a ‘‘hungry and desperate mother’, struck a chord with the nation when it was first published and went on to become a photo icon that visually and emotionally defined the decade of the Great Depression.
#photoicons #photography
Books on Dorothea Lange's work for the FSA:
Dorothea Lange: 500 FSA Photographs: amzn.to/4csZbrY
Dorothea Lange: Migrant Mother: MoMA One on One: amzn.to/4eru16j
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The copyright of all images and videos used in this video belongs to their respective owners. No copyright infringement is intended. The content is used under Fair Dealings's exemption for criticism, review and education.
Copyright Credits:
Dorothea Lange interview: Oakland Museum of California
Great Depression: Flashback Television Ltd.
Interview Norma Rydlewski & Katherine McIntosh: Washington University Film and Media Archive
Interview Florence Owens Thompson: NBC News
Research Sources: David C. King - Dorothea Lange, Photographer of the People
Milton Meltzer: Dorothea Lange: A Photographer’s Life
Library of Congress
Oakland Museum of California
Moma.org
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[@ChrisCummins]

Wonderful, well researched video. Thank you so much!

[@photoiconsexplained]

Thanks so much Chris! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@coconat6585]

Great Video👍 great explanation of the background of migrant mother.i also appreciate the technical aspects of photographie in your videos

[@photoiconsexplained]

Thanks so much for the kind feedback! I’m glad you’re enjoying the videos!