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Unsanitary privy in potato pickers camp near Shafter, California, 1937. Creator: Dorothea Lange
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Unsanitary privy in potato pickers camp near Shafter, California, 1937. Creator: Dorothea Lange
Unsanitary privy in potato pickers camp near Shafter, California
Heritage Images features heritage image collections
Media ID 36221926
© Heritage Art/Heritage Images
California United States Of America Camp Lavatory Migrating Migration Outside Lavatory Outside Toilet Privy Refugee Camp Sanitation Shafter Camp For Migrants Shafter Fsa Migrant Camp Toilet United States Office Of War Information Unsanitary Dorothea Lange Dorothea Lange Taylor Dorothea Margaretta Nutzhorn Lange Dorothea Lee Russell Nutzhorn Dorothea Margaretta Recession Russell Lee Taylor Dorothea Lange
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph, titled "Unsanitary privy in potato pickers' camp near Shafter, California," was captured by renowned American photographer Dorothea Lange in the 1930s during the Great Depression. The image is a poignant reminder of the harsh living conditions endured by migrant workers during this period. The scene portrayed in the photograph takes place at a makeshift camp for migrant potato pickers located in Shafter, Kern County, California. The image shows an outdoor privy, a simple pit latrine, which serves as the only sanitation facility for the residents of the camp. The unsanitary conditions of the privy are evident, with waste visible at the base, and a discarded tin can lying nearby. The photograph was taken as part of the Farm Security Administration (FSA) project, an initiative of the United States government aimed at providing relief to rural areas affected by the Great Depression. Dorothea Lange, a prominent photographer for the FSA, documented the lives of migrant workers and their struggles during this time. The image is significant not only for its historical value but also for its artistic merit. The use of contrast and shadow creates a sense of depth and texture, while the composition draws the viewer's attention to the unsanitary privy and the stark reality it represents. The photograph is a powerful reminder of the poverty and hardship experienced by many Americans during the Great Depression and the importance of addressing issues of sanitation and living conditions for marginalized communities. The photograph was taken using a nitrate negative, a type of photographic film that was commonly used during the 20th century. It is now part of the Dorothea Lange Collection held by the Office of War Information (OWI) and is an important piece of American heritage art.
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