When the Whistle Blows: Closing Hour at the Danville, Virginia Cigarette Factory
Artist
Lewis W. Hine
(American, 1874-1940)
CultureAmerican
DateJune 1911
MediumGelatin silver print
DimensionsOverall, Image: 4 7/16 × 6 3/8 in. (11.3 × 16.2 cm)
Overall: 4 15/16 × 6 7/8 in. (12.5 × 17.5 cm)
Overall, Mat: 14 × 17 15/16 in. (35.6 × 45.6 cm)
Overall: 4 15/16 × 6 7/8 in. (12.5 × 17.5 cm)
Overall, Mat: 14 × 17 15/16 in. (35.6 × 45.6 cm)
InscribedOn the back of the print in pencil in the upper left is written 2201 and in the upper right RMG 10071. RMG stands for Robert Mann Gallery.
Credit LineGift of Robert Mann
Object number2006.15
Not on view
DescriptionThis is a gelatin silver print of a cigarette factory in Danville, Virginia in June of 1911. There are women standing outside on the sidewalk in front of a brick building. There is one woman standing on the loading area of the building.Label TextLewis W. Hine American (1874-1940) When the Whistle Blows: Closing Hour at the Danville, Virginia Cigarette Factory, June 1911 Gelatin-silver print Gift of Robert Mann 2006.15 Educated as a sociologist, Lewis W. Hine employed photography for the cause of social reform. His most influential work was carried out in service of the National Child Labor Committee; his images of juveniles and children at work (1911-16) were instrumental in changing labor regulations. In this work, and in photographs of Ellis Island immigrants, Red Cross efforts in Europe during World War I, and the construction of the Empire State Building, Hine demonstrated respect and genuine personal concern for the conditions of his subjects. Working for the National Child Labor Committee, Hine took thousands of pictures of underage workers in an effort to improve the deplorable conditions of working children. Hine's ultimate goal was to bring an end to child exploitation, and thus he was unwanted in many factories. As a result of his widespread photographs, laws on child labor were enacted to protect working children and juveniles from hazardous working conditions and extremely long hours. Edited By: CW Edited Date: 2007 Approved By: ERL Approval Date: 2007ProvenanceChristie's, New York, NY; Robert Mann, New York, NY, June 1999; Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk, VA, Gift of Robert Mann, 2006. Exhibition History"The World of Photography," Alice R. and Frank B. Sol Photography Galleries, Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk, VA, June 20, 2007 - May 25, 2008
