Irish Mailman c. 1920s

gelatin-silver-print

wedding photograph

photo restoration

archive photography

historical photography

portrait reference

old-timey

black and white

yellow element

united-states

photographic element

celebrity portrait

"Irish Mailman," a photograph by Lewis Hine, captures the essence of a bygone era in American history. Taken in the 1920s, the image portrays a mailman in his uniform, carrying a heavy leather bag. The photograph, showcasing Hine's renowned social documentary style, highlights the labor and dedication of an essential worker. Hine's use of natural light and a focus on the individual provides an intimate look into the life of a working-class American. The image serves as a poignant reminder of the human stories behind the everyday tasks that shape our society.

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minneapolisinstituteofart about 1 year ago

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Lewis Hine was a documentary photographer, educator, and social reformer. Trained in sociology, Hine taught at the progressive Ethical Culture School in New York City before turning his attention to photography. As a photographer for the National Child Labor Committee (NCLC), Hine traveled the United States to document children in unsafe working conditions in factories, mines, fields, and city streets. Over ten years, he created an indelible record of the human cost of an exploitative labor market, documenting the tired faces of children at the end of their shifts, or even children mutilated by industrial machinery. These disturbing photographs were used in publications and presentations created by Hine and the NCLC, and ultimately promoted sweeping policy changes designed to protect children.