Farm Security Administration (John Vachon)

Farm Security Administration, original silver print glossy 8 x 10 inch fiber photograph credited to John Vachon. Photographed is identified on verso as "San Augustine, Texas / Mrs. Rushing, the wife of the Mayor / Photo - Vachon - 1943."

John Felix Vachon (May 19, 1914 – April 20, 1975), American photographer. He worked as a filing clerk for the Farm Security Administration before Roy Stryker recruited him to join a small group of photographers, including Esther Bubley, Marjory Collins, Mary Post Wolcott, Jack Delano, Arthur Rothstein, Walker Evans, Russell Lee, Gordon Parks, Charlotte Brooks, Carl Mydans, Dorothea Lange and Ben Shahn, who were employed to publicize the conditions of the rural poor in America.

The RA and FSA are well known for the influence of their photography program, 1935-1944. Photographers and writers were hired to report and document the plight of poor farmers. The Information Division of the FSA was responsible for providing educational materials and press information to the public. Under Roy Stryker, the Information Division of the FSA adopted a goal of "introducing America to Americans." Many of the most famous Depression-era photographers were fostered by the FSA project. Walker Evans, Dorothea Lange, and Gordon Parks were three of the most famous FSA alumni. The FSA was also cited in Gordon Parks' autobiographical novel, "A Choice of Weapons."

Image circa 1943; printed in the second half of the 20th century as part of the American Heritage Publishing Archive.

Verso bears original filing notations and credit stamping. In very good condition.

Provenance: From the American Heritage Publishing Archives.