Unemployment benefits aid begins. Line of men inside a division office of the State Employment Service office at San Francisco, California, waiting to register for benefits on one of the first days the office was open. They will receive from six to fifteen dollars per week for up to sixteen weeks. Coincidental with the announcement that the federal unemployment census showed close to ten million persons out of work, twenty-two states begin paying unemployment compensation after 1938

Editor: This is Dorothea Lange's photograph, "Unemployment benefits aid begins." The stark black and white tones and the overhead perspective create a sense of anonymity and, frankly, desperation. What can you tell me about the social context surrounding this image? Curator: Lange's photograph is a powerful commentary on the Great Depression and the role of the State Employment Service. Consider the male figures, uniformly dressed and hatted. How does this visual uniformity speak to the levelling effect of economic hardship across class and identity? Editor: It does highlight the shared experience. Did Lange intend for this to be a call to action? Curator: Absolutely. Lange’s work often served as a form of social activism, drawing attention to the plight of the marginalized and advocating for policy changes. This image urges us to reflect on economic inequality. Editor: I see that so clearly now. Thanks for expanding my understanding of Lange’s intentions and the photo's context. Curator: My pleasure. It is through these dialogues that art history gains relevance.