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Terms and conditions of use
Towards Los Angeles, California
(1936); printed (c. 1975)
Medium
gelatin silver photograph
Measurements
39.6 × 39.1 cm (image) 40.8 × 50.5 cm (sheet)
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased, 1975
Public domain
Gallery location
Special Exhibitions Gallery
Ground Level, NGV International
About this work
During the Great Depression, the Great Plains of North America became known as the Dust Bowl. A severe drought turned the soil to dust, leading to the migration of thousands of small-scale farmers who could no longer work the land. Dorothea Lange made many road trips to document the plight of migrants heading west in search of work and opportunities. Many of Lange’s photographs, such as this one, show workers travelling in difficult conditions, on foot and by car. This photograph was also used as the basis for a scene in the 1939 film Of Mice and Men, based on John Steinbeck’s story of two migrant ranch workers.
Artwork Details
Place/s of Execution
California, United States
Accession Number
PH96-1975
Department
International Photography
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of Daryl and Anne Whinney