Arthur Rothstein

 

Arthur Rothstein was a photographer for the Farm Security Administration (FSA).  Born and raised in New York City to Jewish immigrants in 1915, Rothstein attended Columbia University to pursue his studies.  After developing his skills as a photographer at Columbia, his professor, Roy Stryker, recruited him to the FSA.  As a FSA photographer, Rothstein photographed events such as the Dust Bowl and communities like the Gee’s Bend community in Alabama.  After leaving the FSA in 1940, Rothstein participated in Look and Parade Magazine.  His images are known for being direct and objective depictions of reality during the Great Depression.

 

Through Her Gaze features one of Rothstein’s images

Rothstein, Arthur
Carrying water. Gee’s Bend, Alabama
1937
3 1/4 x 4 1/4 inches
Photograph
Negative : Nitrate Farm Security Administration
Office of War Information Photograph Collection (Library of Congress)

Outside Looking In features another one of Rothstein’s images

Rothstein, Arthur Gee’s Bend, Alabama 1937, printed later mid-20th century 9 1/2 x 13 in. (24.13 x 33.02 cm) Photograph North America, American Gelatin silver print Bowdoin College Museum of Art

 

Learn more about the artist:

http://www.pbs.org/kenburns/dustbowl/photos/

https://www.loc.gov/photos/?fa=partof:catalog%7Ccontributor:rothstein,+arthur