Russell Lee
1903–1986 · United States
Describing a community through accumulated details.
Explore 2 works ↓
Russell Lee · 1940-10
Russell Lee · Library of Congress, Farm Security Administration / Office of War Information.
Public domain — fonds FSA/OWI · Reuse conditions · Artwork record
The story
Trained as an engineer, Russell Lee turned to photography and joined the FSA in 1936. His reportage brings together work, domestic life, celebrations and local institutions. His series in Pie Town and San Augustine favour sustained observation of communities. After federal assignments, he photographed industry and miners, among other subjects, before teaching at the University of Texas.
Understanding the work
Look at an entire series: interiors, faces and landscapes respond to one another. His attention to ordinary objects makes visible the ways a community inhabits its surroundings.
Key works and series
Pie Town, New Mexico; San Augustine, Texas; investigations of miners.
Sources & further exploration
A journey through images.
2 worksClick an image to enlarge it. Captions, collections and reuse conditions appear below each work. Captions describe the photographs; the source records retain catalogue titles and provide context.
Russell Lee · 1940-10
Russell Lee · Library of Congress, Farm Security Administration / Office of War Information.
Public domain — fonds FSA/OWI · Reuse conditions · Artwork record
Russell Lee · 1942-08
Russell Lee · The Library of Congress, Farm Security Administration / Office of War Information.
Public domain — fonds FSA/OWI · Reuse conditions · Artwork record
Works in collections.
23 recordsPhotographs to explore on museum and library websites, with titles, dates and processes. Each link opens the collection record and its image where one is available.
- MoMA · December 1936
A View of a Side of Building, East Pauley, a framer living near Smithfield, Iowa
Gelatin silver print
- MoMA · 1936
Washstand in Corner of Kitchen of Edgar Allen's Home on Farm near Milford, Iowa
Gelatin silver print
- MoMA · June 1937
John Mathews, Wife, and Two Children in their Home near Black River Falls, Wisconsin, Farm Family, Cutover Area, Wisconsin
Gelatin silver print
- MoMA · January 1937
Two Children of John Scott, a Hired Hand Living near Ringgold, Iowa
Gelatin silver print
- MoMA · February 1942
Boys Learn to Garden in Vocational Training Class at the Farm Security Administration Farm Workers Community, Eleven Mile Corner, Arizona
Gelatin silver print
- Library of Congress · October 1940
Jack Whinery et sa famille, Pie Town, Nouveau-Mexique
Photograph — FSA/OWI collection
- Library of Congress · 1938-09
Danse dans un bar de Raceland, Louisiane
Photograph — FSA/OWI collection
- Library of Congress · 1942-10
Réunion syndicale de mineurs, Butte, Montana
Photograph — FSA/OWI collection
- Library of Congress · July 1940
Porte et fenêtre d’une maison, Costilla, Nouveau-Mexique
Photograph — FSA/OWI collection
- Library of Congress · 1940-10
Distribution of surplus food, St. Johns, Arizona
Photograph — FSA/OWI collection
- Library of Congress · 1939
Jeune travailleur récoltant des carottes près d’Edinburg, Texas
Photograph — FSA/OWI collection
- Library of Congress · 1939-01
Une mère apprenant les lettres et les chiffres à ses enfants
Photograph — FSA/OWI collection
- Library of Congress · 1942-07
Américains d’origine japonaise transplantant du céleri, Oregon
Photograph — FSA/OWI collection
- Library of Congress · 1942-08
Work at the Mouat chromite mine, Montana
Photograph — FSA/OWI collection
