The Transients 1938

Phyllis (Pele) De Lappe's 1938 lithograph, "The Transients," depicts a family of three, likely migrant workers, facing a barbed wire fence. The woman, holding an infant, sits on a suitcase, while the man, wearing overalls and a hat, points toward the barrier. The somber mood and realistic depiction of the family's poverty highlight the difficult conditions faced by many during the Great Depression. De Lappe's masterful use of shading creates a sense of depth and realism, emphasizing the hardships and resilience of these "transients."