Front Porch, Rooming House. Portsmouth, Virginia
Artist
John Vachon
(American, 1914-1975)
CultureAmerican
DateMarch 1941
MediumGelatin silver print
DimensionsOverall, Image: 7 1/8 × 9 3/8 in. (18.1 × 23.8 cm)
Overall, Paper: 8 × 9 7/8 in. (20.3 × 25.1 cm)
Overall, Mat: 19 15/16 × 16 in. (50.6 × 40.6 cm)
Overall, Paper: 8 × 9 7/8 in. (20.3 × 25.1 cm)
Overall, Mat: 19 15/16 × 16 in. (50.6 × 40.6 cm)
Credit LineMuseum purchase
Object number85.1.9
Not on view
DescriptionThis is one of a series of gelatin silver prints; FSA photographs in Virginia.Label Textleft to right John Vachon American, 1914–1975 Mother and Children from North Carolina Farm. They Came to Norfolk, Virginia so Husband and Older Sons Could Get Employment in Defense Industries, March 1941 Gelatin silver print (photograph), printed 1984 Chrysler Museum purchase 84.78.62 John Vachon American, 1914–1975 Front Porch, Rooming House. Portsmouth, Virginia, March 1941 Gelatin silver print (photograph), printed 1985 Chrysler Museum purchase 85.1.9 John Vachon’s photograph of a mother smiling at her tucked-in children illustrates the traditional roles of women as nurturers and caregivers. Preparations for World War II, however, also brought women into the labor force at an accelerated rate. In 1935, the New Deal introduced several programs that helped employ nearly 460,000 women nationwide. By 1940, the U.S. Census Bureau reported a continued increase in employment rates for women in professional and clerical positions.Exhibition History"Mountaineers to Main Streets: The Old Dominion as seen through the Farm Security Administration Photographs," Large Changing Gallery, Chrysler Museum of Art, May 3 - June 16, 1985. Published ReferencesBrooks Johnson. _Mountaineers to Main Streets: The Old Dominion as seen through the Farm Security Administration Photographs_. The Chrysler Museum, Norfolk, VA. 1985: p. 133.
