Home > Arts > Artists > V > John Vachon
MINER STRIKE, 1939. A miners son holding coal salvaged from a slag pile during
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Granger
MINER STRIKE, 1939. A miners son holding coal salvaged from a slag pile during
MINER STRIKE, 1939.
A miners son holding coal salvaged from a slag pile during a coal strike in Kempton, West Virginia. Photograph by John Vachon, May 1939
Granger holds millions of images spanning more than 25,000 years of world history, from before the Stone Age to the dawn of the Space Age
Media ID 13214947
1939 Coal Kempton Labor Movement Miner New Deal Strike Vachon West Virginia Slag Southeast Unidentified
FEATURES IN THESE COLLECTIONS
> Arts
> Artists
> V
> John Vachon
> Granger Art on Demand
> What's New
EDITORS COMMENTS
This powerful photograph captures the resilience and determination of a young boy during the Miner Strike of 1939 in Kempton, West Virginia. In this poignant image, we see the miner's son holding a piece of salvaged coal from a slag pile, symbolizing both his family's struggle for survival and their unwavering commitment to the labor movement. Taken by renowned photographer John Vachon in May 1939 as part of the Farm Security Administration (FSA) project, this portrait encapsulates the harsh realities faced by working-class families during this tumultuous period in American history. The boy's solemn expression reflects not only his own innocence lost but also serves as a testament to the dire circumstances that forced him into adulthood prematurely. The backdrop of Southeast West Virginia adds an additional layer of significance to this photograph. Known for its rich coal reserves, this region was at the heart of America's industrial revolution and played a pivotal role in shaping labor rights movements such as strikes. This particular strike took place against the backdrop of President Roosevelt's New Deal policies aimed at improving conditions for workers across various industries. As we gaze upon this evocative image today, it serves as a reminder of how far our society has come in terms of workers' rights while also urging us to remain vigilant against any erosion or neglect towards these hard-fought achievements.
MADE IN THE USA
Safe Shipping with 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
FREE PERSONALISATION*
We are proud to offer a range of customisation features including Personalised Captions, Color Filters and Picture Zoom Tools
FREE COLORIZATION SERVICE
You can choose advanced AI Colorization for this picture at no extra charge!
SECURE PAYMENTS
We happily accept a wide range of payment options so you can pay for the things you need in the way that is most convenient for you
* Options may vary by product and licensing agreement. Zoomed Pictures can be adjusted in the Cart.
