African American Men Standing on Store Porch, Colp, Illinois, Arthur Rothstein, 1939

Arthur Rothstein's photo of two men on a store porch in Culp, Illinois  is a beautifully composed image that was taken in 1939. Arthur Rothstein was a photographer for the Farm Security Administration (FSA), a New Deal agency established in the 1930s to help improve the living and working conditions of rural Americans during the Great Depression.

As part of his work for the FSA, Rothstein documented the lives of rural Americans, including the struggles and challenges they faced during this time period. The photo of two men on a store porch in Culp, Illinois business center captures a moment in the daily life of rural Americans and offers a glimpse into the social and economic conditions of the rural Midwest during the 1930s.

The two men in the photo are depicted on the porch of a store, which was often a central gathering place in rural communities. The composition of the image is carefully crafted, with the two men positioned in the center of the frame with the store in the background.

The photo is a powerful visual representation of the resilience and determination of rural Americans during the Great Depression. Despite the economic and social challenges they faced, these men are determined to persevere and maintain their way of life.

Overall, this photo by Arthur Rothstein is a valuable historical document that provides a glimpse into the lives of rural Americans during a time of great challenge and change. Through his work, Rothstein helped to shed light on the experiences of rural Americans and to document an important period in the history of the United States.