Photographic Archives Gallery
University of Louisville
October 8, 2009 -- February 12, 2010

Open: 9:00am to 5:00pm, Monday-Friday
Closed Weekends
502.852.6752

Note:  Exhibition was scheduled to close on January 15, but is being extended through February 12.

The University of Louisville Photographic Archives Gallery is located on the lower level of Ekstrom Library on Belknap Campus.

Dorothea Lange and John Steinbeck traveled the same California roads during the late 1930s, documenting the struggle of migrant farm families.  She photographed the pain and despair of men, women and children living in crowded, squalid camps.  He chronicled their stories, describing how once proud and self-sufficient midwest farmers lost homes, health, dignity and, far too often, loved ones.  

By allowing America to actually see and hear Dust Bowl refugees, Lange and Steinbeck helped raise awareness and aid for the migrant families.  They also produced two of the most enduring impressions of the Great Depression, Lange's photograph of Migrant Mother and Steinbeck's novel, The Grapes of Wrath.

Although they never collaborated directly, Lange and Steinbeck visited the same camps and were obviously aware of each other's labors.  The San Francisco News published work by both, most notably in October, 1936 when a series of seven articles written by Steinbeck were accompanied by Lange's photographs.  The articles were later published in the book, Harvest Gypsies.

This exhibition features thirty-one images photographed by Dorothea Lange in central California between May, 1935 and February, 1939.  This was the period during which Steinbeck researched and wrote Of Mice and Men and The Grapes of Wrath.

The prints are Farm Security Administration photographs from the Roy E. Stryker Collection, University of Louisville Photographic Archives.