Dorothea Lange, Documentary Photography, and Twentieth-Century America

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This biography explores the life of Dorothea Lange (1895-1965), whose experiences during the Great Depression significantly influenced her photography and the nation. It begins with her childhood in immigrant New York and her early career as a portrait photographer for San Francisco's elite. The economic turmoil of the Depression prompted Lange to leave her studio and document the struggles of everyday citizens, leading to her international acclaim. The author integrates recent scholarship on the New Deal and photographic history while examining the regional histories of the Pacific West, the Plains, and the South. Lange's life reflects critical changes in the U.S., particularly regarding women's roles and the state's responsibility to support vulnerable populations. The concept of "care work," often associated with women's nurturing roles, is used to analyze Lange's impactful photography and its potential for social change. Her work highlights the devastating effects of the Depression and engages with ongoing debates about governmental responsibility for citizens' needs. This insightful introduction appeals to both students and general readers, emphasizing the enduring political and social relevance of Lange's legacy as she captured persistent injustices like poverty, labor exploitation, racism, and environmental degradation.