Photography as a Tool for Social Criticism

The Museo Diocesano of Milan, in collaboration with CAMERA in Turin, presents a retrospective dedicated to Dorothea Lange on the 135th anniversary of her birth, featuring over one hundred photographs. Curated by Walter Guadagnini and Monica Poggi, the exhibition traces the work of the American photographer who turned photography into a powerful tool for social commentary. After leaving behind commercial portraiture, Lange documented the injustices of the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl, capturing the struggles of farmers and migrants, as seen in her iconic image Migrant Mother. During World War II, she photographed the internment of Japanese Americans, exposing the harshness of racially motivated government policies. With an empathetic and direct style, Lange gave voice to individuals affected by economic crises and political decisions, anticipating contemporary issues such as migration, poverty, and inequality. Her photography remains a deeply human and critical reflection of her time.