Boy by Wagon

Accession Number
1971/2.142

Title
Boy by Wagon

Artist(s)
Lewis W. Hine

Artist Nationality
American (North American)

Object Creation Date
1908-1924

Medium & Support
gelatin silver print on paper

Dimensions
4 5/8 in x 6 5/8 in (11.7 cm x 16.8 cm);4 5/8 in x 6 5/8 in (11.8 cm x 16.9 cm);14 5/16 in x 19 5/16 in (36.4 cm x 49 cm)

Credit Line
Museum Purchase

Subject matter
A boy stands stiffly before the wheels of a covered wagon wearing a cap, jacket, knee high socks, and boots. His arms at his side, the little boy appears perturbed, and glares at the camera. The boy is most likely a child laborer, perhaps working for the company which owns the wagon and structure in the background. The photographer, Lewis Hine, photographed extensively in industrial sites for the National Child Labor Committee, where he sought to expose the dangers and unsafe conditions to which child workers were subject. His documentation of child workers helped lead to important labour reforms that abolished the use of child labour and unsafe work conditions.

Physical Description
This photograph depicts a view of a young boy standing by a covered wooden wagon. The back of the wagon rests against the side of a wooden building, its front is unhitched and resting on a ground strewn with hay.  

Primary Object Classification
Photograph

Collection Area
Photography

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.

Keywords
Figures
boys
cart
child labor
children (people by age group)
industry (economic concept)
labor
modern and contemporary art
standing
vehicles (transportation)
wagons (cargo vehicles)
wheel

& Author Notes

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