Lewis Wickes Hine Collection
Lewis Wickes Hine was a pioneering American photographer who used his camera as a tool for social reform
All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping
Lewis Wickes Hine was a pioneering American photographer who used his camera as a tool for social reform. Through his powerful images, he shed light on the harsh realities of early 20th-century America, capturing the struggles and triumphs of ordinary people. In the crowded tenement sweatshops of New York City, Lewis Hine documented the grueling conditions faced by workers. His photographs revealed their exhaustion and despair, serving as a call to action for labor reforms. At the Paragon Rubber Company in Massachusetts, Hine captured the weariness etched on the face of a factory worker. The black and white photo spoke volumes about the toll that industrialization took on individuals' physical and mental well-being. One striking image showed a young child newspaper vendor navigating through bustling streets in New York City. This poignant portrayal highlighted how even children were forced into labor to support themselves or their families. Hine's lens also turned towards monumental structures like the Empire State Building. From atop its mooring mast, he immortalized both its construction process in 1931 and later revisited it in 1939 with gelatin silver prints. These images showcased not only architectural marvel but also celebrated human ingenuity and progress during challenging times. The portrait of a newspaper seller from around 1910 depicted an individual whose livelihood depended on selling papers amidst bustling city life. It served as a reminder that behind every transaction lies an individual with dreams, aspirations, and struggles. Another photograph captured a powerhouse mechanic in all his rugged glory circa 1924. The stark black-and-white composition emphasized strength and resilience while honoring those who kept industries running smoothly behind-the-scenes. In St. Louis, Missouri in 1910, Hine snapped newsboys taking cigarette breaks between their arduous work shifts—a candid glimpse into their lives at such tender ages when they should be enjoying carefree childhood moments instead. Hine's documentation extended beyond factories; he ventured into the realm of healthcare.