Arthur Rothstein stands as a towering figure in the annals of American photojournalism, renowned for a remarkable five-decade career that profoundly shaped how the nation saw itself. From the grim realities of the Great Depression to the intimate moments of hometown life and the stark landscapes of war, Arthur Rothstein‘s camera captured the soul of a nation in flux, provoking thought and etching indelible images into the public consciousness.
Born on July 17, 1915, in Manhattan, New York City, to Jewish immigrants Isadore Rothstein and Nettie Perlstein Rothstein, Arthur grew up in the bustling Bronx. His early life hinted at the visual storytelling prowess that would define his future, as he developed a keen interest in photography from a young age.
Early Life, Education, and the Genesis of a Career
Rothstein’s photographic journey began in earnest during his time at Columbia University. There, he not only founded the University Camera Club but also served as the photography editor for The Columbian, the undergraduate yearbook. It was at Columbia that a pivotal connection was forged: he met economics instructor Roy Stryker. This encounter proved to be a turning point, as Stryker recognized Rothstein’s nascent talent.
In 1935, as a college senior, Rothstein collaborated with Stryker and Professor Rexford Tugwell, preparing copy photographs for a significant picture sourcebook focused on American agriculture. This project laid the groundwork for his entry into one of the most important photographic endeavors in American history. Later that year, Stryker departed Columbia to join President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal brain trust. Upon Rothstein’s graduation, Stryker promptly hired him as the very first photographer for the newly established Farm Security Administration (FSA) staff in Washington, D.C., launching Rothstein into a role that would define an era of documentary photography.
Documenting the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl for the FSA
For the next five years, working under the auspices of the FSA, Arthur Rothstein embarked on a mission to visually document rural and small-town America, particularly during the devastating years of the Great Depression. His work for the FSA, earning him a modest $1,620 annually plus travel allowances, was characterized by its unparalleled directness and immediacy. He understood that to truly capture the essence of his subjects, he needed to connect with them on a personal level.
One of his initial assignments involved documenting the lives of people in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, who were facing relocation. Rothstein spent a full week immersing himself in their community, living alongside them and building trust before even lifting his camera. When he finally began shooting, he utilized a small, unobtrusive 35mm camera, eschewing a tripod to maintain a natural, unposed feel. This empathetic approach allowed him to capture some of the most iconic and emotionally resonant images of the era, many of which remain widely recognized today.
Rothstein gained particular fame for his poignant images of the Dust Bowl. His 1936 photograph, Fleeing a Dust Storm, taken in Cimarron County, Oklahoma, is a powerful testament to the ecological and human crisis unfolding in the Great Plains. The image depicts farmer Arthur Coble and his two sons battling against a raging dust storm, a stark portrayal intended to convey the dire circumstances to those in the eastern United States who had little comprehension of the plight of their fellow Americans. Rothstein aimed to foster a sense of identity and shared struggle across geographical divides.
Beyond merely documenting suffering, Rothstein’s photographs served a crucial purpose in advocating for change. His work actively helped to establish soil conservation practices and was instrumental in convincing Washington to extend government aid to the struggling Great Plains region. Furthermore, his powerful documentary imagery played a significant role in elevating photography itself to a respected art form, demonstrating its capacity for profound social commentary and historical record-keeping.
Between 1937 and his departure in 1940, the FSA photography division grew, employing other celebrated photographers such as Marion Post Wolcott, Walker Evans, Russell Lee, Gordon Parks, Jack Delano, John Vachon, Dorothea Lange, and Ben Shahn. During this period, Rothstein’s extensive travels took him to various locations impacted by the Dust Bowl and to numerous cattle ranches. In his five years with the FSA, Rothstein meticulously captured approximately 80,000 images, a monumental body of work that collectively forms an invaluable visual archive of the Great Depression.
A Career Beyond the Depression: War, Magazines, and Mentorship
After his impactful tenure with the FSA, Rothstein’s career diversified. In 1940, he joined Look magazine as a staff photographer, but his commitment to documenting significant historical events soon led him elsewhere. He left Look to join the Office of War Information and subsequently served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps as a photographer during World War II, capturing critical moments of global conflict. Following the war, in 1945, he served as chief photographer for the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration, continuing his work on a global humanitarian stage.
In 1947, Arthur Rothstein married Grace Goodman, and together they raised four children. The same year, he returned to Look magazine, this time as its Director of Photography, a position he held until the magazine ceased publication in 1971. His leadership at Look further solidified his reputation as an influential figure in photojournalism.
The following year, he joined Parade magazine, where he continued to contribute in various capacities until his death. Throughout his distinguished career, Rothstein was also a dedicated educator, teaching photography and sharing his vast knowledge with aspiring photojournalists. He was a founding member of the American Society of Magazine Photographers, even editing its in-house periodical for a year. His expertise extended to authorship, with seven books on photojournalism that showcased his iconic images and insights into the craft.
The Enduring Legacy of a Visual Chronicler
Arthur Rothstein’s life came to an end on November 11, 1985, in New Rochelle, New York, but his legacy as a visual chronicler of American history endures. His philosophy on documentary photography, as he eloquently stated, was rooted in curiosity and objectivity: “Documentary photographers all have a common characteristic. They are curious yet objective. They search with inquisitive zeal for the essence of nature and events. They examine and scrutinize to reveal the truth.” This ethos guided his work and allowed him to produce images that transcended mere documentation.
Rothstein firmly believed in the universal power of photography, articulating that “Because powerful images are fixed in the mind more readily than words, the photographer needs no interpreter. A photograph means the same thing worldwide, and no translator is required. Photography is truly a universal language, transcending all boundaries of race, politics, and nationality.” His own photographs stand as a testament to this belief, communicating complex narratives and emotional truths across time and culture.
From the impoverished farmers of the Dust Bowl to the complexities of global conflict, Arthur Rothstein’s lens provided a window into the human experience. His dedication to capturing the authentic, often challenging, realities of his time, coupled with his innovative approach to storytelling, cemented his place as a pioneer in photojournalism. His extensive body of work not only serves as a vital historical record but also continues to inspire and educate, reminding us of the profound impact a single photograph can have.
