Home > Europe > United Kingdom > England > London > Sights > Lee Valley
Cantaloupe field and ranch house, Imperial Valley, California, 1938. Creator: Dorothea Lange
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Heritage Images
Cantaloupe field and ranch house, Imperial Valley, California, 1938. Creator: Dorothea Lange
Cantaloupe field and ranch house. Imperial Valley, California. Desert agriculture on the Mexican border. Large-scale corporation farming, Mexican labor
Heritage Images features heritage image collections
Media ID 36207876
© Heritage Art/Heritage Images
Agribusiness California United States Of America Cantaloupe Cantaloupes Fruit Farm Melon Melons Rockmelon Rockmelons United States Office Of War Information Dorothea Lange Dorothea Lange Taylor Dorothea Margaretta Nutzhorn Lange Dorothea Lee Russell Nutzhorn Dorothea Margaretta Recession Russell Lee Taylor Dorothea Lange
FEATURES IN THESE COLLECTIONS
> Animals
> Insects
> Hemiptera
> Black Scale
> Animals
> Insects
> Hemiptera
> Mexican Black Scale
> Animals
> Mammals
> Cricetidae
> California Mouse
> Animals
> Mammals
> Muridae
> Desert Mouse
> Arts
> Artists
> L
> Dorothea Lange
> Arts
> Artists
> L
> Russell Lee
> Arts
> Artists
> R
> Lee Russell
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> England
> London
> Sights
> Lee Valley
> North America
> Mexico
> Related Images
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph, titled "Cantaloupe field and ranch house, Imperial Valley, California," was captured by renowned American photographer Dorothea Lange in 1938. The image offers a poignant glimpse into the agricultural landscape of the Imperial Valley during the Great Depression, a time when large-scale corporation farming dominated the region. The photograph features a vast expanse of cantaloupe fields, stretching out to the horizon under the arid California sun. The meticulously tended rows of melons, ripe with promise, contrast sharply with the barren, rocky terrain that surrounds them. In the distance, a solitary ranch house stands, a testament to the resilience and determination of those who toiled the land. Lange's photograph is a poignant reminder of the economic realities of the time. The Great Depression had left many farmers and laborers struggling to make ends meet. The adoption of industrial farming methods, such as those seen here in the Imperial Valley, led to increased efficiency and productivity but also resulted in the displacement of small-scale farmers and the exploitation of migrant laborers. The photograph was taken during Lange's tenure with the Farm Security Administration (FSA), a New Deal agency established to provide relief to rural communities affected by the Depression. Lange's work for the FSA, which included this image, is considered a seminal contribution to the documentary tradition in American photography. The haunting beauty of this image, with its stark contrasts and poignant social commentary, continues to resonate with viewers today, offering a glimpse into a bygone era and a reminder of the complex relationship between agriculture, labor, and the American landscape.
MADE IN THE USA
Safe Shipping with 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
FREE PERSONALISATION*
We are proud to offer a range of customisation features including Personalised Captions, Color Filters and Picture Zoom Tools
SECURE PAYMENTS
We happily accept a wide range of payment options so you can pay for the things you need in the way that is most convenient for you
* Options may vary by product and licensing agreement. Zoomed Pictures can be adjusted in the Cart.
